[ad_1]
Credit: Office of Governor Tim Walz, YouTube
In his annual state-of-state address, Gov. Tim Walz stressed the importance of getting vaccinated in a race against COVID-19, but equally expressed Minnesota’s urgent need to come together to become a more equitable place of life.
Walz, speaking from his old classroom at Mankato West High School, echoed the words of Dr. Martin Luther King who gave a 48-minute speech at the school in south-central Minnesota in 1961 (audio from MLK speech) where he said “no section of our country can boast of having clean hands.”
Walz cited the global spotlight that has been hanging over Minnesota since the death of George Floyd as four former Minneapolis cops held him to the ground outside a small business in southern Minneapolis.
“Our deep racial inequalities have been revealed to the world. For many white Minnesotans, it was a wake-up call to a truth that colored Minnesotans have known all their lives, ”Walz said. “While our state is one of the best places in the country for a white child to grow up, it often ranks as one of the worst for a colored child.”
In June 2020, Pat Kessler of the WCCO reported that only 25.6% of black families owned a home in the Twin Cities, while over 75% of white families owned their homes, resulting in a huge gap in which the net worth of black families is only about a tenth that of white families.
“As many Minnesotans congratulate themselves on getting back to normal, we have to recognize this and recognize that for too many getting back to normal is not enough,” Walz said.
“It’s not good enough for a single mom who works two jobs just to feed her family. This is not good enough for a student in a small town who has to do her homework at a local restaurant because she does not have a good internet connection. And that’s not enough for young black men, who live in fear of being arrested by police officers who have sworn to protect them. ”
Walz’s words come on the eve of opening statements in the trial of former Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of Floyd.
Multiple protests are scheduled for Monday in Minneapolis, including outside the Hennepin County Government Center, which houses the courtroom where Chauvin is on trial. The city of Minneapolis will have an increased police presence, including assistance from many state agencies, including the National Guard.
“As the trial of Derek Chauvin begins, tensions and emotions will naturally be high,” Walz said. “Please, Minnesotans, make your voice heard. Practice your First Amendment correctly. But please heed Dr. King’s advice that non-violence is the only way to truly move hearts and create lasting change.
Subscribe: subscribe to our BREAKING NEWS newsletters
Walz also compared Minnesota to the late ’90s high school football team he coached at Mankato West High School, saying the team rallied from a 0 and 4 start to the season for advance to the state playoffs and win the championship.
He told the Minnesotans what he told his team over 20 years ago: “This is your time. This is our time.”
That moment during a timeout on the pitch in 1997 led to a defensive save that ultimately served as a springboard for the football team’s success the remainder of the season.
“It taught us all courage, resilience and a real sense of teamwork. Every player stood in their lane, did their part, to help bring back the state title. the Minnesotans did last year, ”he said.
Walz concluded, “That’s our goal. Get the shot. We’re coming back.”
[ad_2]
Source link