This Black History Month, Take a Stand Against Racism
In alignment with Black History Month and always, the LA vs Hate program proudly stands in solidarity with our Black community, recognizing their invaluable contributions to our society and advocating for a future built on equality, justice, and respect for all. In the spirit of this month-long commemoration, we reflect on the profound impact of Black individuals and communities in shaping the fabric of Los Angeles and beyond.
Unfortunately, the data in the most recent LA County Hate Crime Report [2022] released last November, showed that African Americans were once again overrepresented as targets for hate, making up 53% of racial hate crime survivors and 32% of all hate crimes in LA County, despite only representing 9% of the County’s total population. This represents a 34% increase from 2021 to 2022 and the second largest number of anti-Black crimes ever reported in LA County. (source 2022 Hate Crime Report).
We hope you will join LA vs Hate taking additional steps to support the Black community, and that all LA County residents will stand together as we work towards reducing the hate directed at this community.
Here are some actions that you can take right now:
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Suggested caption: [We/I] stand in solidarity with the Black community. We can all do more to build a community that is anti-racist and that stands against hatred and bigotry of all kinds. If you or someone you know has been targeted because of your race or background, please consider reporting with @lavshate for access to free support services.
Educate Yourself
Check out our self-serve education platform Explore Justice - a video series designed to help unpack and examine the current and historical perspectives that shape social justice. The site is designed to provide digestible information on racial justice, told through both historical and present day frames.
Attend BHM Events
Reading Between the Lines: Implicit Bias in Media
Wednesday, February 28 | 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The Second District Racial Justice Learning Exchange (RJLE) is an initiative of the Office of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell that brings district residents, County, civic and community leaders together to learn from and celebrate our diversity, confront biases and inspire meaningful steps to eliminate structural racism.
Cultural Treasures of South LA: African-Americans and the Arts
February 1 – February 29, 2024 at LA City Hall
LA vs Hate network partner LA Commons has curated an incredible show celebrating the trailblazing Black leaders and activists, available to view now through the end of the month at LA City Hall. The show uplifts South LA as a place, and also as an identity, a venue for building, and grounds for creating.
Combating Anti-Blackness Training Series
In addition to these resources, last year the Human Relations Commission partnered with South Los Angeles Building Healthy Communities and CD Tech to launch a community-based training project called Combating Anti-Blackness Training Series, designed in South Central Los Angeles to help achieve racial justice. Piloted with 24 LA vs Hate Dream Resource Center staff, the training serves as a direct response to the rising hate crimes against African Americans seen across Los Angeles County. Participants attain knowledge to understand the “roots of anti-Blackness” and its impact on South Los Angeles Black as well as Brown, Indigenous and Immigrant residents. The comprehensive and interactive training focuses on combating anti Blackness by increasing an understanding of how policy, programs and resources have historically and systematically marginalized Black, Brown, Indigenous and Immigrant community residents in South Los Angeles.
In addition, LA vs Hate has been expanding its community partnerships and projects like this one to provide the tools and resources our community needs to stand against racism and advocate for a diverse and inclusive future.
Thank you for joining us in the fight against hate.
"It's All for You" by Brittney S. Price was the final mural of the LA vs Hate’s Summer of Solidarity, a public art series that celebrates the diverse communities of Los Angeles. The central figure in the mural represents the embrace of a grandmother while also honoring the memory of Velma Grant, the visionary developer who boosted Willowbrook in the early 1940s. The mural captures the essence of LA County’s Black community in a picturesque grouping of natural, musical, spiritual, and architectural elements that pay homage to the neighborhood’s rich culture from the past to the present. Learn More
