The CDC now recommends that people whose immune systems are compromised moderately to severely should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after an initial 2-dose series. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic. Visit CDC’s webpage at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html to learn more about who should get a booster shot.
It seems that a healthy handful of White folks wait to express their outrage and disgust over racial injustice after a highly publicized or sensationalized tragedy takes place. Often, after a new hashtag begins trending on social media, a variety of tweets and posts speaking out against anti-Blackness and anti-Black violence soon follow. Which, I suppose, is fine, but very few extend far beyond their comfort zone in their advocacy efforts. This is not to say that allyship in any form is not helpful, but it’s time to start being clear about what is needed and what ultimately perpetuates White supremacy and further insulates White guilt. Let’s be honest: to combat anti-Blackness in America, we don’t need allies. We need abolitionists.
While following the Derek Chauvin trial, I’ve noticed one common theme that also struck me immediately following the gruesome killing of George Floyd – White people speaking out against racism after the fact. It seems that a healthy handful of White folks wait to express their outrage and disgust over racial injustice after a highly publicized or sensationalized tragedy takes place.
Protests rage once again in Minneapolis after another Black man, Daunte Wright, was killed by police, and a newly released video from Virginia shows a Black Army lieutenant in uniform getting pepper-sprayed by police.
The Culpeper Branch #7058 stands in solidarity with the Isle of Wight Chapter and the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP in calling on Governor Ralph Northam to call a special legislative session to pass HB2045 sponsored by Del. Jeff Bourne. Local, state and federal officials must properly investigate this matter to the fullest extent, and propose a Plan of Action for the Town of Windsor and the Commonwealth of Virginia to immediately act on.
The world was gaslit by misreporting about George Floyd’s initial autopsy report. As concerned physicians, we write to deconstruct the misinformation and condemn the ways this weaponization of medical language reinforced white supremacy at the torment of Black Americans.
George Floyd’s Autopsy and the Structural Gaslighting of America
The weaponization of medical language emboldened white supremacy with the authority of the white coat. How will we stop it from happening again?
The Mission of the Culpeper branch of the NAACP is the same as it is nationally, to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.
While we celebrate the victories of the past and continue, peacefully, to expand on those victories, we are reminded by the current events across the nation that there is much work to be done.
We must confess, we are tired of fighting the same fight, over and over. However, we do not have the luxury of resting. We must continue the pursuit of equality by eliminating the systemic racism that continues to be prevalent in our country. We will not rest and pass the responsibility on yet to another generation.
Over the last few months, we have had to contend with the results of inequities in both healthcare and economics in our communities; and yet you hit us with another battle to fight. We have had to contend with the brutality and humility perpetuated towards our community over-and-over again. We will not be compelled to respond with knee-jerk reactions. We are going to move forward together, methodically, with a well-planned movement. This can only be achieved by including those of all creeds, colors, political and religious persuasions. We will continue to work with our local leaders, including our law enforcement; to whom we have worked to build strong bridges.
We are not going to accept the spread of divisiveness promulgated by a few, determine how we move forward. We know our worth and the strength of our VOTE. We have remained a non-partisan, peaceful organization, however, those who have made the decision to sit back and let our democracy continue to be crushed will be voted out in our continued pursuit of equality. As Dr. King said, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
To all the Ahmaud Arberys, George Floyds, and Breonna Taylors, our promise to you is that “We will not give up the fight for equality and justice. Yes, we are tired, we are hurt, but while standing on the shoulders of those before us, we will never give up hope. Our Faith will remain strong, and we will never be broken as long as we have breath in our bodies.”
In Solidarity,
Sandra Reaves-Yates, President
NAACP Culpeper Branch #7058
Leslie Redmond, President of NAACP Minneapolis, demands justice at the frontlines.
If the indefensible murder of George Floyd was not already enough, last night we watched in horror as our people were shot at, tear-gassed and beaten.
This moment calls for us to unite around the outrage we feel and fight for the justice we demand. And that’s exactly what the NAACP is doing. We will not rest until we see these officers charged and convicted for the murder of George Floyd. We will not stop until everyone from the White House to the streets of the Twin Cities knows: We are done dying.
The murder of George Floyd by police is an unspeakable tragedy. But sadly, police brutality against the Black community is a continuous and ever-present danger. It comes out of the systemic racism and prejudice ingrained in the fabric of this nation for decades and is currently being refueled and reinvigorated by the President.
After last night’s tragedy, President Trump tweeted that “THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd” and that “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
That is a disgraceful and dangerous statement. The only people dishonoring the memory of George Floyd – indeed of all the black men and women whose lives are needlessly taken – are those who support the brutality perpetrated against our people.
Watch live: Protests over George Floyd’s death and investigation updates
Watch live coverage of the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, including protests around the country and developments into the investigation.
We must hold all involved criminally accountable for the death of Mr. Floyd. And we must do it now.
The uprising spreading across this country from Minneapolis to Louisville and beyond is born of the hate, bigotry and racism felt by our communities every day.
What we’re seeing isn’t reactionary violence, it’s Black communities coming together and declaring once and for all that we are done dying.
Last night, in the midst of peaceful protests, rioters with their own agenda have become the national focal point. But we can’t afford to lose sight of what’s really important: justice for George Floyd and for all black men and women who have needlessly lost their lives.
The Culpeper branch of the NAACP holds its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on the 3rd Thursday of each month. We are currently meeting at Antioch Baptist Church at 202 S. West Street, Culpeper, 22701. All are welcome; you do not have to be a member to attend.
