April 7, 2021

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HB 544 Divisive Thought

House floor speech

 

I was selected as one of two people to speak against this bill.  My speech:

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Slavery was abolished 150 years ago, but does anyone here doubt that racism is still, alive and well in this country and in this state. 

In 2020 we saw many examples of racism, Amard Arbery, the jogger shot dead when he stopped for a moment to check out the progress at a home under construction.  I’ve done that before.  Would those men have shot me?

The Black teen in a New York hotel attacked by a woman who had lost her iphone.  If I had been there with an iphone, would she have attacked me?

 

And the newest trend in racial violence, attacking Asian Americans who are just walking down the street.  What will be next?  Who will be next?

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If passing a law would eliminate racism, I would vote for it.  But no law can cure the problem of racism. 

The only way to cure racism and other forms of bias, is for everyone to learn more about the different forms it can take, why it exists, and to appreciate what it feels like to be on the receiving end. 

What we need is more education and dialog about racism, not less. We need to encourage, not stifle, teaching about racism at all educational levels.   It should be woven through the curriculum in ways that are age appropriate.  And I trust our teachers to do that.

Everyone deserves to feel safe, to be treated with dignity, and to have equal access to a quality education, job opportunities, housing, loans, and business mentorships. For this to come about we need to talk about racism.

I urge you to remove HB 544 from HB2 for two reasons.  One.  It places unconstitutional restrictions on our first amendment right of free speech.   And two. Unless we can talk about how our behaviors and policies impact minorities, racism will continue.  By banning discussion about racism, this section actually protects racism.   

Let’s make it clear, New Hampshire condemns racism and sexism.