Diversity and Inclusion
Doing right: Lincoln and Illinois' address racism

 

[April 27, 2022] 

From Abraham Lincoln

The Emancipation Proclamation:
“I never, in my life, felt more certain that I was doing right, than I do in signing this paper. If my name ever goes into history it will be for this act, and my whole soul is in it." - President Abraham Lincoln

President Lincoln took a bold step in July 1862 when he proposed the Emancipation Proclamation to his Cabinet. The proclamation was issued in September, five days after the Battle of Antietam.

The measure freed slaves living in the southern rebellion states. Following the Civil War, in 1865, the 13th Amendment passed abolishing slavery in all the United States.

Despite the passage of time and the addition of the Civil Rights Act to our nations policies, there yet persists pockets and threads of racial bias, discrimination and injustices in the culture of these United States, even in Lincoln, Illinois.

In Lincoln, Illinois

Associate Professor of History and Political Science Managing Director, Abraham Lincoln Center for Character Development Lincoln College, Ron Keller, offers this assessment and encouragement for change:

"I welcomed the recent panel discussion hosted by the Diversity and Inclusion Commission. This forum was a necessary step to allowing us to recognize and address that issues of racism which still plagues our city.

"Too often we as a community of people focus on the voices of the majority voices, leaving the voices of the marginalized often either ignored or never heard. The reality – which was apparent to anyone who attended and listened to the panelists speak that evening (Mar 7, 2022) – is that racism still exists within our community and in our schools.

"In the first city named for (and the only one christened by) Abraham Lincoln, we must constantly strive to model and exemplify the character qualities which Lincoln himself emulated. Among the many qualities of Lincoln which he epitomized were honesty, empathy, civility, and integrity. All of these traits should challenge us to treat others around us in such a way that works to make, not just better [us,] as individuals. But beyond that, those virtues also should compel us to endeavor corporately to improve our fellow man and our common society.

"In August 1863, a group of “unconditional Union men” in Springfield, Illinois invited President Lincoln to come back to his hometown for a Union rally. Though it would be impossible to attend, he did write back thanking them for their kind invitation, and in that response took up a defense of his then recently issued Emancipation Proclamation.

"Even in Springfield, some white Republicans and ardent pro-Union advocates did not approve of the Emancipation Proclamation and the arming of black troops. In short, ending slavery and granting equality was not the war aim, and Lincoln should not concern himself with such issues.

"However, in one of the most poignant letters of correspondence that he ever wrote, Lincoln in that letter admonished, “You say you will not fight to free negroes. Some of them seem willing to fight for you.” He continued his rebuke of those who were not in favor of recognizing the struggle of African-Americans by saying, “But negroes, like other people, act upon motives. Why should they do any thing for us, if we will do nothing for them?”"

"The point that Lincoln was making, which is just as relevant in 2022 as it was in 1863, is this: we are all in this together. The problems in our nation and specifically in our community which affects one, affects all.

"As famed late 1800s African-American activist Booker T. Washington declared, "In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress."

"The progress of our community is not merely measured by the progress of the most privileged, but rather by the progress of those left behind. Those left marginalized are a mark of our community’s progress, or lack thereof. Racial epithets, and overt or covert discrimination of any kind in our community signal the type of community we really are. And acceptance of any racism is a gauge of the overall character of our city.

"Perhaps it is too lofty of a vision to believe that we can ever fully eradicate racism or discrimination. But recognizing it, naming it, and taking active steps to combat should be a goal of the city of Lincoln. After all, it was a goal of our namesake president. We need to continue to make good on that promise he left for us a century and a half ago."

Racism affects community

The nationwide 'Black lives matter' rallies of 2020 spurred communities to examine discriminatory behaviors.

The city of Lincoln

To further explore and mature healthy responsible attitudes for an atmosphere of inclusivity of all people in our community, city of Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch formed the Diversity and Inclusion Commission.

One of the commission's tasks is to keep people talking to gain an understanding of one another. Quality communication breaks barriers.

Mayor Tracy Welch said, “The Diversity & Inclusion Commission was formed to give a voice to our diverse community, serve as a sounding board to city government with thoughts and ideas on how to improve our community, and create opportunities to promote and encourage diversity and inclusion.

"I believe the D&I Commission has made great strides since it was formed and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow and mature their mission as they serve community.”

Racism affects health

From the American Public Health Association:

"Racism may be intentional or unintentional. It operates at various levels in society. Racism is a driving force of the social determinants of health (like housing, education and employment) and is a barrier to health equity. To achieve health equity we must address injustices caused by racism. We must support actions at all levels to ensure equal opportunity for all. How do we do that? Through racial healing. That means using a healing and heart-centered approach to get rid of the false belief that any people are superior to others based on their skin color."

The Lincoln Memorial Hospital's Community Health Collaborative (CHC) also finds it important that our community grow by overcoming minority biases.

The CHC supported the city of Lincoln's Diversity & Inclusion Coalition event, 'The Dialogue: Black History & Culture,' held on Mar 7, 2022.

'The Dialogue' featured a panel of speakers and discussion time, offering an opportunity for meaningful communication, racial healing and awareness at a local perspective.

Data collected from the (most recent) 2020 Logan County Community Health Survey with over 850 respondents:

- 43% of respondents had witnessed someone being treated negatively because of their race sometimes or frequently.

- 36% of the same respondents agreed or strongly agreed that racism is a problem in Logan County.

- Bias-based bullying impacts youth mental health, a community health priority.

- Racism is a concern in Logan County.

- Racism impacts health.

Lincoln Memorial Hospital Community Health Director Angela Stoltzenburg said, “Relationships within families and communities have a strong impact on our health and well-being. In 2020, the LMH Community Health Needs Assessment survey showed that 43% of local respondents had witnessed someone being negatively treated because of their race either sometimes or frequently. We must do better. Dialogue events such as 'The Dialogue: Black history and culture' are the first steps in community healing, belonging, and well-being.”

A series of violent events around the nation between law enforcement and minority persons during 2020 prompted a movement to bring racial disparity issues to light.

In Lincoln several rallies were held that were well attended.

Former Lincoln Police Chief Paul Adams reexamined Lincoln's policing policies. Officers are trained in best practices for community safety.

To keep the dialogue moving, city of Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch instituted the Diversity and Inclusion Commission. Quality communication enhances understanding and acceptance, breaking down barriers. One of the commission's tasks is to keep people talking together.

In 2021, the first community panel discussion held at Jefferson Street Christian Church brought forth a powerful period of sharing experiences followed by an enlightening audience question and answer response.

'Juneteenth,' which celebrates black culture (observed nationally on June 19 each year) serves as another activity to strengthen community bonds. The 2022 Juneteenth event will be Lincoln's third. Watch for announcements for time and place.

State of Illinois:

Recently, the state of Illinois released an article 'New report highlights critical next steps in combating hate crimes in Illinois.' The article references the first year, yearlong investigative and fact-finding work of the reinstituted Illinois Commission on Discrimination & Hate Crimes (CDHC) under order of Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.

The CDHC engaged with diverse communities throughout the state, hearing testimony from subject matter experts, locally and globally, and collaborate with law enforcement, constitutional offices, and other state agencies.

Illinois has as a representative state in the nation "an opportunity to lead the way in building a welcoming, inclusive state that all our residents can be proud to call home,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m grateful to the Commission on Discrimination & Hate Crimes for bringing together the lived experiences of Illinoisans from all around the state in the name of acceptance. Illinois has a long legacy of advancing inclusion, and I’m proud to do all that I can to combat hate with the full weight of the Governor’s Office.”

“Illinois intends to take the lead in working to reduce incidents of hate,” said Commission Chair James (Jim) Bennett. “Our focus is on investigating the root causes of hate, how we respond to incidents in the present, and what we need to do differently in the future to ensure all communities have the tools needed to combat hate crimes and discrimination.”

The article said the commission will be presenting their recommendations to Governor Pritzker and the general assembly in the coming months and will begin formulating additional action steps throughout the year.

To learn more about the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes, please visit the website at https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/
cdhc/Pages/default.aspx.

[Jan Youngquist]

Past articles:

Dec 2021 - Grand opening and ribbon cut at Elite Kicks brings in a shoulder to shoulder crowd
http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/
2021/Dec/13/RIBBONCUT/RIBBON
CUT121321_ELITEKICKS.shtml

Oct. 2020 - Healing racism a shared responsibility Healing racism a shared responsibility http://archives.lincolndaily
news.com/2020/Nov/04/NEWS/
today_unity.shtml

- See and listen to “Unity in the Community” https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=57glxGwbycg  (panel begins at 00:09:17)]

About the Illinois Commission on Discrimination & Hate Crimes (CDHC)

[The mission of the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes is to identify and uproot sources of discrimination and bias at the source, while assisting with the development of resources, training, and information that allow for a swift and efficient response to hate-motivated crimes and incidents. Working with educators throughout Illinois on issues concerning discrimination and hate, the Commission helps ensure that this State’s laws addressing discrimination and hate-related violence are widely known and applied correctly to help eradicate and prevent crimes based on discrimination and intolerance. The Commission also makes recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly for statutory and programmatic changes necessary to eliminate discrimination and hate-based violence. They implement recommendations by working with State agencies, the General Assembly, the business community, social service community and other organizations. #eliminatehateIL]