County Executive David Crowley Statement Celebrating Caribbean-American Heritage Month
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley issued the following statement celebrating Caribbean-American Heritage Month which started on June 1:
“I am proud to celebrate Caribbean-American Heritage Month and honor the Caribbean-American community who call Milwaukee County home. Caribbean-Americans have made our region more innovative and more prosperous. Their influence can be seen in our small business community, our arts & culture community, and our economy.
“Despite the contributions of our Caribbean-American neighbors many continue to face systemic barriers to freedom, opportunity, and justice. The legacy of the systemic racism residents face are stark disparities that fall along racial lines in health care, education, housing, criminal justice, and wealth.
“We recognize communities of color, including the Caribbean-American community, have been historically left behind by a combination of chronic disinvestment by government at all levels and discriminatory practices, like red-lining, by private sector businesses. In addition, we know these failures have contributed mightily to adverse health outcomes for generations of some of the most disadvantaged residents. These are systems that failed large swaths of our community for generations and in turn they’ve failed all of us.
“Milwaukee County's approach focuses on addressing the root causes of racial inequities: the power structures, policies, and practices of our institution. Addressing the root causes that are contributing to inequities in the community will make sustainable, transformational change to the way our government does business, thereby driving Milwaukee County toward the vision of achieving racial equity and being the healthiest county in Wisconsin.
“During National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we celebrate our Caribbean-American neighbors and re-commit ourselves to ending the entrenched disparities that have kept generations of residents from living full and free lives.”