Racial Justice and Our States

It’s on all of us to hold lawmakers accountable.

Flippable’s work is focused on flipping legislative chambers in states with a history of gerrymandering and voter suppression, two anti-democratic and often racist practices that disproportionately silence Black and brown voters. However, the pervasiveness of anti-Black racism requires ambitious, sustained efforts beyond fair maps and expanded ballot access. While a stronger democracy is critical for building political power within Black communities, the policy-making power of state legislatures means that elected officials need to govern with an eye toward realizing racial justice.

Policy solutions aimed at dismantling systemic racism extend far beyond the dialogue on policing. At the state level, lawmakers have the ability to deliver on much of the policy agenda from the Movement for Black Lives. To name a few: rectifying funding disparities in the public education system; extending access to quality, affordable health care; advancing workers’ rights through a living wage and support for unions and Black-owned businesses; prioritizing environmental justice with clean and protected natural resources; and investing in community wellbeing through job programs, public transportation, mental health services, affordable housing, child care, and more.

Flipping states blue has the power to increase accountability in our government, but electoral victory alone will not stop systemic anti-Black racism. There’s more work that needs to be done in order to build an equitable, racially just society: we have to educate ourselves on the issues within our states and engage with elected officials on these policies. The recent repeal of New York State law Section 50-a, which allowed police to conceal disciplinary records from public view, illustrates why we don’t have to wait for Election Day to demand change. Each of us has the ability to push our states to take action for the health, safety, and prosperity of Black lives year-round.

We invite you to share how you’re taking action in pursuit of racial justice in your community. And, as always, we thank you for working to build a stronger democracy with us.