Published in The Call, Kansas City’s Community Newspaper, October 2024

The City’s Disgraceful Attempt to Sidestep Accountability for the Kansas City Fire Department
is Deplorable

I am appalled but not surprised. The recent news that Kansas City is pushing forward with a plan to sidestep real accountability for the Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD) is nothing short of disgraceful. The decision to strip future KCFD employees of their right to file discrimination lawsuits is a betrayal to those who risk their lives for our city. Instead of addressing decades of racism, sexism, and discrimination, the city is making backroom deals to protect its financial interests.

The bargaining agreement between Local 42, the union representing KCFD employees, and the City of Kansas City absolves the union of its responsibility to protect the civil rights of its members. Historically, Local 42 has failed to provide equitable protection for the rights of minority and women members, allowing the department’s toxic, white male-dominated culture to persist. This latest move to deny future firefighters their right to file discrimination lawsuits and instead force them into mandatory arbitration is nothing short of unconscionable.

What’s even more abhorrent is that the union has shrouded this agreement in the cloak of hefty raises to appease its members. By dangling wage increases in front of current employees, they’ve bargained away the civil rights of future firefighters for a bag of silver. Racial equity and civil rights should never be sold or bargained away, no matter how enticing the financial incentives. This is not just a failure of leadership; it is a gross violation of the principles of justice and fairness that should guide any organization tasked with representing the interests of all its members.

Mayor Quinton Lucas, City Manager Brian Platt, and the City Council have joined forces with Local 42 to protect their own financial interests while denying future firefighters the ability to hold the department accountable for the rampant discrimination that has plagued KCFD for decades. They should be ashamed of themselves!

This arbitration agreement, quietly tucked away in the union’s five-year contract, strips firefighters of their right to seek justice in a court of law. Instead, these claims will be decided behind closed doors by arbitrators paid by the city. Clearly, they are stacking the deck in their favor.

Let’s be clear: KCFD has a long and documented history of racism, sexism, and discrimination. In 2020, The Kansas City Star published an in-depth investigative report that laid bare the department’s racially toxic work environment. The city has been well aware of the deep-rooted problems within the department for years. Yet, instead of working to create a truly equitable and inclusive fire department, city leaders are protecting the very systems that allow discrimination to thrive.

Local 42 has repeatedly failed to stand up for its minority and women members, choosing instead to protect the “good-ole-boy” network that has dominated KCFD for decades. This arbitration agreement is the latest chapter in that shameful legacy.

This is not just an insult to the firefighters who serve our city; it’s a stain on Kansas City itself. Firefighters risk their lives daily for this community, and this is how they are repaid? By stripping them of their right to hold the department accountable for discrimination and abuse? It is beyond shameful.

Mayor Lucas can celebrate wage increases and claim that this contract is “transformational,” but what is transformational about continuing to protect a toxic and discriminatory work environment? What is fair about denying future firefighters the same legal rights and protections every worker deserves?

This is a time for leadership, not backroom deals. The people of Kansas City deserve transparency, accountability, and justice—not a city that prioritizes cost-saving measures over human dignity. Our firefighters, especially those who have faced discrimination and hostility within the department, deserve far better than this.

Enough is enough.

The views and opinions expressed in the Unfiltered Truth column are solely those of the author, Gwen Grant, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City Board of Directors or its staff.

Published in The Call, Kansas City’s Community Newspaper, September 2024

The Dangerous Vision of Project 2025: What’s at Stake for Missouri

America is at a crossroads. Project 2025, a 900-page manifesto from the Heritage Foundation, has laid out a dangerous blueprint for reshaping the U.S. federal government. Its aim? To dismantle the very foundations of our democracy and pave the way for an authoritarian system. The consequences of this project, if implemented, would be catastrophic—particularly for marginalized communities, workers, and the institutions that safeguard our rights.

The proponents of Project 2025 envision an America where:

• Workplace discrimination goes unpunished, and workers are denied basic protections like overtime pay.

• Public schools lose federal funding, leaving underfunded schools, especially in urban and marginalized communities, to fend for themselves.

• Medicare becomes a relic of the past, with prescription drug prices soaring, leaving the elderly and vulnerable without support.

This is not a hypothetical scenario—this is the agenda Project 2025 seeks to implement. It is a vision where corporate interests reign supreme, and the rights of everyday Americans are systematically stripped away.

One of the most alarming aspects of Project 2025 is its potential to consolidate executive power, giving the president sweeping authority to reshape government agencies and push through extreme policies without checks and balances. Under the guise of promoting "family values" and "limited government," this initiative seeks to eliminate essential federal protections, allowing states to enforce discriminatory policies without federal oversight.

Project 2025 advocates for dismantling crucial agencies such as the Department of Education, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Labor—institutions that play pivotal roles in ensuring equity, safety, and justice for all Americans. The plan also proposes to bring agencies like the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under direct presidential control, paving the way for political opponents to be targeted and legal scrutiny to be diminished for allies. This is nothing short of an authoritarian power grab.

What’s at Stake for Missouri?

The stakes are incredibly high for Missouri. Under Project 2025, many protections that Missourians rely on would be decimated. The Department of Education would be dismantled, leading to a sharp decline in public education quality, particularly in underserved communities east of Troost in Kansas City. Federal support for programs like Head Start would vanish, depriving low-income families of essential early childhood education.

The Department of Labor would be weakened, possibly leading to the repeal of minimum wage laws and a drastic reduction in workplace safety standards. The elimination of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations would increase workplace injuries and fatalities—putting thousands of Missouri workers at risk.

The potential impact on health services is equally devastating. Project 2025 seeks to defund organizations like Planned Parenthood, eliminate programs that support reproductive rights, and roll back healthcare access for marginalized communities. This means the most vulnerable Missourians—those who rely on programs through Medicaid and Medicare—could find themselves without crucial healthcare.

Perhaps most alarming is the project's plan to gut the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Missouri, with its history of environmental degradation and pollution, would be disproportionately impacted. Project 2025 aims to deregulate ecological protections, resulting in increased pollution and public health risks. Clean air, safe drinking water, and protection from toxic pollutants would be jeopardized, leading to dire consequences for rural and urban communities.

Ultimately, Project 2025 is about erasing decades of progress and replacing it with an authoritarian system that limits political freedom, undermines the rule of law, and empowers corporations at the expense of everyday Americans. This is not just a threat to marginalized communities—it is a threat to the very fabric of American democracy.

Missourians, like all Americans, must recognize the magnitude of this moment. The 2024 elections are crucial. The choice is between a future that preserves the core tenets of democracy—equity, justice, and accountability—or a future where power is concentrated in the hands of a few, and the rights of the many are systematically eroded.

We cannot afford to be complacent. The vision set forth by Project 2025 is not the America we deserve. Now is the time to fight for our democracy, protect our communities, and ensure that the rights of all Americans are upheld.

Sources: 1. National Urban League: Project 2025 and its Vision for America

2. The Nation: The Plot Against America

Published in The Call, Kansas City’s Community Newspaper, August 2024

The Cost of Dysfunctional Leadership in Jackson County

Dysfunction in Jackson County government under the feckless leadership of County Executive Frank White has reached a breaking point, with dire consequences for the people he was elected to serve. What we are witnessing is not just incompetent governance—it is a complete failure of leadership that jeopardizes our community's future.

Under White’s administration, property owners across Jackson County have seen their assessed values skyrocket, with average increases of 30 percent and some exceeding 100 percent. This crisis has left 55.2 percent of Jackson County residents expressing their dissatisfaction with these draconian tax hikes.

Even more egregious is the inequity embedded in the process. While countless elderly and middle-class homeowners struggle with burdensome assessments, White’s house was assessed at a lower value than those in his neighborhood. This is a clear and troubling case of unequal treatment under the system he oversees.

In a recent development, a Judge dismissed with prejudice the lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey against Jackson County over the 2023 property tax assessment fiasco. Bailey requested the dismissal following an order from the Missouri State Tax Commission, which determined that continuing the litigation would waste judicial and public resources "without serving justice." The Missouri State Tax Commission issued an order rolling back 75 percent of the assessments. The order mandates that all residential properties whose values increased by more than 15 percent be rolled back to that 15 percent increase level, excluding properties with increases due to new construction.

While this rollback may provide some relief, it does not absolve the gross mismanagement that led to the crisis. Another court previously delivered a scathing indictment of White’s leadership, stating that how the biennial assessments were conducted in 2019 and 2023 demonstrated "a clear disregard for the rights of Jackson Countians" and highlighted "gross incompetence."

Perhaps the most damning evidence of White’s fatuity is the looming return of more than $70 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. This grant from the federal government could be a lifeline for our community, providing much-needed resources for mental health support, substance abuse treatment, crime prevention programs, job training, child care, and other services. Instead, White’s mulish obstinance and inability to collaborate and compromise with our duly elected representatives on the Jackson County Legislature means that this money may be returned to the federal government. Meanwhile, Jackson County residents are deprived of funding and continue to suffer with needs that could have been addressed.

This is not just ineptitude — it’s a betrayal of the public trust. White has repeatedly shown that he is unwilling or unable to effectively perform the duties and responsibilities of his office. Jackson County deserves better.

Now, it’s time to mobilize for change in the executive leadership of Jackson County. Residents deserve a government that works for them, not against them. It’s time for Frank White to be moved aside to make way for leadership that is capable, compassionate, and committed to the well-being of all Jackson Countians. Yes, we can!

Finally, I want to thank the electorate for making your voices heard in the recent Democratic primary for Jackson County Prosecutor. Your overwhelming support for Melesa Johnson is a powerful statement that the people of this county will not stand idly by while their rights are trampled and their needs are ignored. You quashed the efforts of a misguided sister to divide our vote and wealthy barristers to buy the office for their haughty minion. Yes, you did!

Disclaimer:  The views expressed in this column are the sole opinion of Gwen Grant and do not reflect the views of the Urban League Board of Directors or staff.

Published in The Call, Kansas City’s Community Newspaper, July 2024

From Breonna Taylor to Sonya Massey: When Will It End?

The brutal murder of Sonya Massey in her Illinois home on July 6th by Sean Grayson is a tragic reminder of the pervasive racial injustice and police brutality that continue to plague our nation. This senseless killing, coming in the wake of Breonna Taylor's and Atatiana Jefferson's deaths at the hands of law enforcement, underscores a relentless pattern of violence against Black Americans. As we approach the 10th anniversary of Michael Brown’s homicide in Ferguson, it is evident that the systemic issues persist, unaddressed.

Breonna Taylor was killed in her own home by police executing a no-knock warrant in Kentucky on March 13, 2020. Atatiana Jefferson was shot through a window in her mother's home while babysitting her nephew in Fort Worth, Texas. Both were innocent Black women whose lives were abruptly and unjustly ended by those sworn to protect them. These cases, like that of Michael Brown, whose killer was never charged, reveal a grim reality for Black Americans: our safety is not guaranteed, even in our own homes.

Sonya Massey's death has reignited calls for the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, legislation named after another Black victim of police brutality. George Floyd's murder on May 25, 2020, by Derek Chauvin, who kneeled on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, sparked global protests and demands for change. Despite Chauvin's conviction, systemic reforms have stalled, leaving Black communities vulnerable to further violence.

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act aims to address these issues by creating a national registry of police misconduct, banning racial profiling, eliminating qualified immunity for officers, and prohibiting chokeholds and no-knock warrants. However, this legislation has languished in Congress due to partisan gridlock, a stark indicator of the political barriers to achieving justice and equality.

The refusal to advance this legislation is not just a failure of politics; it is a failure of morality. As Black Americans continue to suffer and die due to systemic racism and unchecked police power, the inaction of our leaders speaks volumes. It is a dereliction of duty and a betrayal of the principles of justice and equality that this nation claims to uphold. Moreover, it is a testament to why your vote matters.

President Biden and Vice President Harris have called on Congress to pass this critical legislation, stressing that meaningful reform is necessary to honor the lives lost and protect future generations. As we reflect on the deaths of Sonya Massey, Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, Michael Brown, George Floyd, and countless others, we must demand accountability and systemic change. The time for empty promises and performative politics is over. We need concrete action to dismantle the structures of oppression that continue to endanger Black lives.

In memory of Sonya Massey and all those who have fallen victim to police brutality, we must renew our commitment to justice and equality. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that their deaths are not in vain and that real, lasting change is achieved. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is a crucial step in this journey, and it must be passed without delay. Our democracy depends on it. Our humanity demands it.

Call to Action:

Make your voice heard by voting in the upcoming consequential elections. The general election on Tuesday, November 5th, is your chance to vote for leaders who will prioritize justice and equality. Let’s honor the memory of Sonya Massey and all victims of racial violence by demanding change at the ballot box. Together, we can shape a future where justice is truly blind, and equality is more than a promise.

 Published in The Call, Kansas City’s Community Newspaper, June 2024

Young Voters: The Power to Shape America’s Future Is in Your Hands – Don’t Sit This One Out

As we approach the 2024 presidential election, a troubling trend has emerged: young voters, particularly those between the ages of 18 and 35, are showing signs of apathy. Despite their potential to shape the future, this group is highly likely to sit out the November election. In contrast, older voters, while not particularly enthused by either Donald Trump or Joe Biden, are expected to pragmatically cast their votes for the candidate they perceive as the lesser of two evils. This generational divide could significantly impact the outcome of the election and, by extension, the direction of our country.

Younger voters are disgruntled with Biden for various reasons, one of which is America's role in the Israeli-Hamas war that is killing thousands of innocent Palestinian women and children. Many are angry that the U.S. continues to supply weapons to Israel, viewing this as a betrayal of humanitarian values. Young voters are also frustrated with the lack of economic progress and feel their lives have not improved under Biden’s administration. This disillusionment is compounded by a general distrust in politicians, who are often seen as making empty promises.

According to H.I.T. Strategies, “Black voters, especially younger Black men, express deep frustration with the lack of economic progress. They are less motivated by attacks on social issues, with the notable exception of abortion, which remains incredibly mobilizing. Many Black cynics and optimists feel their lives have not improved under Biden and are oblivious to any progress that has been made. They do not believe in the promises of politicians, even those they like, and defending democracy is not compelling for voters who have experienced mixed results from democratic processes.”

So why does your vote matter, even when you don't like the choices? Here are a few compelling reasons:

Your Vote is Your Voice: Sitting out the election is tantamount to giving up your voice in shaping the future. By voting, you assert your right to influence decisions that affect your life and community. Voting matters. Voting is power. Failing to exercise your right to vote cedes power to right-wing conservative policymakers who relentlessly push legislation that suppresses the Black vote, whitewashes American history, bans the teaching of African Studies in publicly funded institutions, and strips away women's reproductive rights.

Local Impact: Beyond the presidential race, important local contests and issues will be on the ballot. These decisions directly impact our community’s schools, infrastructure, law and justice systems, and public services. In Missouri, a woman’s right to reproductive healthcare and the right to choose will be on the ballot. The Governor who appoints judges to State and County courts will be on the ballot along with the retention of previously appointed judges. Furthermore, we will elect a new Jackson County Prosecutor (maybe the first Black) at a time when violent crime is rampant, community trust in law enforcement is low, and the root causes of these problems persist.

1. Incremental Change: While candidates may perfectly align with your values, elections are often about choosing the better option for incremental progress. Even small changes can lead to significant improvements over time. Therefore, voting in every election, whether local or national, is of paramount importance.

2. Holding Leaders Accountable: Voting is a way to hold elected officials accountable. If you are dissatisfied with a current officeholder, voting is your opportunity to foster change. However, elected officials should be assessed on their overall body of work rather than one or two hot-button issues.

3. Future Generations: Many decisions made by today’s leaders will affect future generations. Voting is a way to ensure a better life for generations to come. It is more than your right – it is your obligation.

Young voters have the power to effectuate change. While the choices may not be ideal, the stakes are too high to sit this one out. Participating in the electoral process can help steer the country towards a future that reflects your values and priorities. Now is the time to engage, vote, and make your voice heard.

Published in The Call, Kansas City’s Community Newspaper, May 2024

United We Stand, Divided We Fail

As we approach this pivotal election cycle, it is imperative for leaders from Kansas City's neighborhood organizations, political clubs, and civil rights groups to unite in electing a transformational individual to succeed Jean Peters Baker as Jackson County Prosecutor. The stakes are incredibly high in the upcoming August Primary. Three Democrats—Stephanie Burton, John Gromowsky, and Melesa Johnson—are vying for the opportunity to face off against the Republican candidate in the November general election.

This election holds historic potential: we could elect the first African American and first person with roots on the east side of the city to serve as Jackson County Prosecutor. However, the harsh reality is that the presence of two Black women in the Primary race will likely split the Black vote and the progressive vote, handing a victory to Gromowsky, a pro-life, anti-choice conservative.

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher:

Kansas City is currently ranked among the top five most violent cities in the country. In 2023, two-thirds of homicide victims were Black men. Moreover, Black men are disproportionately incarcerated in Missouri’s prison systems. Children are being shot and killed in our neighborhoods, and oftentimes, the perpetrators go unpunished.    These conditions make it our priority to elect a prosecutor whose lived experiences have prepared her to address these issues.

A Call for Unity:

Both Melesa Johnson and Stephanie Burton are eminently qualified and committed to implementing the initiatives and criminal justice reforms needed to reduce violent crime in Jackson County. Burton, a single mom and former public housing resident, is a skillful and crafty trial lawyer. Johnson, an Ivy League graduate born and raised in the urban core, is the KCMO Director of Public Safety with considerable experience collaborating with various groups fighting violent crime at the grassroots level.

If they both remain in the race, it is likely that neither will win.

Our community needs to rally behind the stronger of these two candidates based on electability metrics. We must consider who has raised the most money with the potential to raise more, secured the most endorsements, has the strongest community presence, and has the most county-wide support. The candidate who falls short on these metrics should withdraw from the race and support the other, thus uniting our efforts to ensure victory.

From my perspective, Melesa Johnson appears to be the stronger candidate as of now. A review of recent campaign filings shows that Stephanie Burton has raised only $33,507.47 compared to Melesa Johnson’s $63,151.00. While both candidates need to raise more funds, Burton, despite having the endorsement of the political club Freedom, Inc., appears to be severely handicapped in this area, raising a paltry $6,645 in the last quarter. Melesa raised $28,642.

Community visibility and county-wide support are essential indicators of candidate viability. Melesa Johnson is highly visible in neighborhood and community meetings that are focused on reducing violent crime. She has broad-based county-wide support that spans from Eastern Jackson County to the central city to the Brookside corridor to South Kansas City.

In contrast, Stephanie Burton is seldom seen at these high-impact community conclaves. However, the Burton campaign may have some undisclosed resources and a viable and compelling plan that provides a pathway to victory. If there is such a plan, she should share it.

A Call to Action:

Now is the time for altruism. The least electable candidate should act in the best interest of Jackson County rather than solely in pursuit of her personal career aspirations and withdraw from the race to support the most electable candidate.  A coalition of stakeholders comprised of civic, neighborhood, political, civil rights, and faith-based leaders and activists should convene a joint meeting with the two candidates to formulate a pathway forward that would result in the weaker candidate altruistically withdrawing from the race and magnanimously supporting the stronger candidate.

By uniting, we can increase the odds of electing a prosecutor who is culturally competent and capable of balancing law enforcement with restorative practices to better address the violent crimes that plague our city. United, we stand a better chance of driving meaningful change for Jackson County and ensuring justice for all. Divided, we fail.

Published in The Call, Kansas City’s Community Newspaper, April 2024

Mayor Lucas and City Council's Complicity in Perpetuating Systemic Racism Part II

In my previous column, I highlighted the troubling complicity of Mayor Lucas and the City Council in perpetuating systemic racism within Kansas City's government. Now, recent developments demand further scrutiny as three black council members—Darryl Curls, Melissa Patterson Hazley, and Ryana Parks Shaw—have betrayed their principles by reversing their previous stance and approving a four-year contract totaling $1.2 million for City Manager Brian Platt. This substantial salary increase is a slap in the face to the community and a shameful display of complicit behavior. Only one council member, Melissa Robinson, remained steadfast in her commitment to civil rights and racial justice by voting against the ordinance.

Some may argue that black individuals cannot be racist because racism is rooted in a power construct, and they do not hold power. However, Ibram X. Kendi, in his book How to Be an Antiracist, challenges this notion by exposing the fallacy of the “powerless defense.” He asserts that individuals of color can indeed perpetuate racist policies and practices, even within their spheres of influence. Kendi writes, “The powerless defense does not consider people at all levels of power, from policymakers like politicians and executives who have the power to institute and eliminate racist and antiracist policies, to policy managers like officers and middle managers empowered to execute or withhold racist and antiracist policies…Every single person actually has the power to protest racist and antiracist policies, to advance them, or, in some small way, to stall them.”

When civil rights organizations and social justice advocates call out racism, they are often met with accusations of playing the "race card." It is troubling and ironic that people are more concerned with being labeled as racist than addressing the racist behaviors and policies that perpetuate inequality. No one wants to be labeled as racist, yet many engage in behaviors and support policies that uphold, undergird, and sustain systemic racism.

The misguided and confused African American councilmembers who lost their way and voted for the contract extension should be ashamed of putting their imprimatur on the perpetuation of Platt’s discriminatory practices.

In response to the council's decision to extend Platt's contract despite his serious deficiencies, the SCLC-GKC, Urban League, and Urban Summit are leading an effort to file a referendum petition. This petition aims to force the council to repeal the ordinance because the city should not enter into a four-year contract with Brian Platt until all civil rights issues have been addressed and citizens have an opportunity to be heard on his ineffectual administration and management of the city. Dismantling institutional racism requires transparency, courage, fortitude, and extraordinary action.

It is time for those who do not want to be labeled as racist to stop engaging in racist behaviors by perpetuating institutional racism. If we acquiesce, then we, too, are complicit in perpetuating systemic and institutional racism.

Published in The Call, Kansas City’s Community Newspaper, March 2024

Mayor Lucas and City Council's Complicity in Perpetuating Systemic Racism

If I were to ask Mayor Lucas and the eight City Council members that voted to enter contract negotiations with City Manager Brian Platt without evaluating his performance if they consider themselves to be racist, I have no doubt that the resounding answer from each of them would be a firm "NO!" In fact, I am certain they would be offended by the question because no one wants to be called a racist.

However, in his book, How To Be An Antiracist, Ibram X Kendi defines a racist as one who supports a racist policy through their actions or inaction or expresses a racist idea. Based on Kendi's definition, Mayor Lucas and the eight white City Council members are complicit in perpetuating systemic racism. Their actions were undeniably racist when they voted to enter negotiations to renew City Manager Brian Platt's contract without first evaluating his performance, which has been less than stellar and has directly contributed to systemic racism.

In May 2023, a coalition of nearly every major civil rights organization in Kansas City, including the NAACP-Missouri, National Black United Front-KC, Southern Christian Leadership Conference-KC, Urban League of Greater Kansas City, and Urban Summit, convened at City Hall to issue a vote of no confidence in City Manager Brian Platt. Chief among our grievances was Platt's failure to address blatant racism within the Kansas City Fire Department, his favoritism toward white candidates over highly qualified Black candidates for key departmental positions, and the alarming frequency of civil rights violations under his watch, resulting in numerous costly lawsuits totaling over $9 million.

Recently, members of the city workers union Local 500 have repeatedly voiced concerns about Platt's failure to address employee complaints of discrimination, harassment, and unhealthy work environments, which have led to millions of dollars in out-of-court settlements at taxpayers’ expense.

These facts are disturbing. Yet, Lucas and his eight colleagues chose to ignore them. These facts are problematic enough that the four African Americans on the City Council voted against entering contract negotiations with Platt. According to a March 13th Kansas City Star Editorial, the mayor said that tells him that Platt “has more one-on-one work to do” with those members. Lucas, who has a track record of ignoring racism, bigotry, and discrimination unless it is politically expedient, is missing the more important point.

Brian Platt has a lot more work to do than “one-on-ones” with the four Blacks on the council. He has more work to do to address the abundance of discrimination lawsuits, harassment incidents, unhealthy work environments, racial inequities in promotions, the plethora of problems within the Kansas City Fire Department, the vote of no confidence from the legacy civil rights organizations, and more.

The truth is clear: systemic racism will persist in City Hall if the mayor and whites on the council continue to turn a blind eye to injustice and fail to hold the city manager accountable. We cannot dismantle systemic racism until those who hold the positional power to make a difference acknowledge the facts and actively work to address the deep-rooted inequalities within our city.

It is time for the mayor and City Council to listen to the voices of the oppressed and take decisive action to combat systemic racism at its core.

Published in The Call, Kansas City’s Community Newspaper, week of February 16–23, 2024

Kansas City's Blood-Stained Valentine: A Call to Arms Against Gun Violence

February 14, 2024, Valentine’s Day, is now etched in the memory of Kansas Citians, not for love but for the bloodshed that stained our Super Bowl Victory Celebration. On that fateful day, Kansas City experienced its first mass shooting, leaving 22 wounded and claiming the life of Lisa Lopez-Galvan. What should have been a day of celebration morphed into one of sorrow, tragedy, and loss. As the nation reels from this and countless other mass shootings, we offer prayers for the victims and their families. We beseech lawmakers to enact sensible gun legislation. We implore the perpetrators of these crimes to cease their senseless violence.

Yet, as the wounds begin to heal and the pain dulls, we are likely to fall back into our business-as-usual routines until the next tragedy strikes or the homicide rate spikes once more.

Enough is enough. We cannot continue down this futile path of pleading with the Missouri legislature for sensible gun laws. Instead, let us invest in evidence-based violence interruption and prevention initiatives. Let us divert funds from reactionary law enforcement strategies toward proactive measures that address the root causes of violence.

But alas, the mayor and city manager have failed us. Their proposed 2024-25 budget allocates a staggering 31% ($317,258,928) of the city’s general operating fund to the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD), well above the mandated 25%. Meanwhile, a mere $6 million is earmarked for crime prevention and intervention strategies. This disparity is unconscionable.

The more we pour into law enforcement, the less we receive in return. Despite increasing funding to the KCPD year after year, our homicide rate continues to climb while the department’s violent crime clearance rate fluctuates between 33% and 49%.  In FY 2022-23, $264,880,215 was allocated to KCPD. In FY 2023-24, that number rose to $284,526,863. And yet, our city witnessed a record-breaking 182 homicides in 2023. Obviously, the status quo is not working.

The tragedy at Union Station must serve as a wake-up call. We cannot afford to perpetuate failed policies. We must reject the mayor’s budget proposal and demand a budget that prioritizes evidence-based crime prevention and intervention strategies. Take St. Louis, for example, where such strategies resulted in 42 fewer homicides, a 24% reduction in shootings, and a 50% decrease in juvenile victims in 2023 alone.

St. Louis's success lies in its comprehensive Community Violence Intervention Strategy, encompassing everything from violence mediation to restorative justice. We must emulate this model and address the root causes of violence head-on.

Gun violence in Kansas City is a public health crisis, and it cannot be solved with more police and more jails. We must acknowledge the systemic inequities that perpetuate violence in our communities and commit to real, lasting change. It is time to invest in our neighborhoods, our people, and our future. We have the power to make a difference. Let us rise to the occasion with unwavering resolve and true determination.  KC Strong!

Published in The Call, Kansas City’s Community Newspaper, week of January 26–February 2, 2024

It is Time to Demand that Disloyal, Duplicitous, Deceptive Democrats be Dishonorably Discharged from the Democratic Party

Democrats Megan Marshall, Jalen Anderson, and Charlie Franklin voted against fellow Democrat Donna Peyton to elect Jeanie Lauer, a Trump-loving MAGA Republican, as Chair of the Jackson County Legislature. It is time for us to stop being hoodwinked, bamboozled, led astray, and run amuck by duplicitous, ambitious politicians who place their personal political vendettas above the best interests of our community. When they deceive us, we must hold them to account. Jalen, Megan, and Charlie betrayed the Democratic Party and slapped the Black community in the face when they, for reasons based solely on petty political retribution, failed to see the bigger and more important picture. For this betrayal, they should be discharged from the Democratic party. Had they opted to vote on the right side of history, they would have voted for Donna Peyton to become the first Black woman to Chair the Jackson County Legislature. She is competent and capable of leading the Jackson County Legislature, and she is committed to advancing the principles of good government, economic mobility, equity, and inclusion.

The community is both perplexed and outraged by this betrayal. We are sick and tired of those we elect to represent us playing political games that have everything to do with themselves and nothing to do with acting in the best interests of our community.

There is no justification for this chicanery. If history is prologue, our community has nothing to gain and everything to lose with Lauer at the helm of the predominately Democratic and majority-minority Jackson County Legislature. She voted against efforts to renew and increase funding to community-based health and social services organizations. Moreover, Jeanie Lauer is a conservative MAGA Republican. She is anti-abortion rights and opposes a woman’s right to choose and make decisions with respect to her body.  When serving in the Missouri Legislature, she voted to repeal prevailing wage; she voted to pass a bill that prohibits local governments from requiring employers to provide a minimum wage or benefits exceeding state law requirements. She voted for expanded Voter ID requirements, making it harder for minorities to vote. She voted for concealed carry without a permit, contributing to the proliferation of guns in the hands of young people in our community. And she voted to allow police officers unlimited discretion in the use of deadly force.

I am not surprised by Jalen’s and Charlie’s misguided support of Trumpism. They have a history of aligning themselves with Republicans in the legislature. However, it is incomprehensible that Megan Marshall, a Black female, would choose a conservative Republican with an horrendous anti-Black, anti-working-class, anti-middle-class, and anti-women record to lead the Jackson County Legislature over her Black female colleague and fellow Democrat Donna Peyton.

The next time you see Megan Marshall, Jalen Anderson, or Charlie Franklin on any ballot to hold any office, remember their betrayal. Hold them to account. They do not deserve your vote.