IMPACCT Brooklyn began celebrating the Martin Luther King Jr Holiday on January 12, 2020 by attending “The Strategic King: MLK’s Visionary Leadership” hosted by WNYC & the Apollo Theatre. (The program will be broadcast today on WNYC.ORG, starting at 10:00 AM.) We continue the celebration today at the Brooklyn Academy of Music for the 34th Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. presented by BAM, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and Medgar Evers College of the City of New York.
As we celebrate and reflect upon the lessons of Dr. King, one of his statements stands: “Capitalism does not permit an even flow of economic resources. With this system, a small privileged few are rich beyond conscience, and almost all others are doomed to be poor at some level. That’s the way the system works. And since we know that the system will not change the rules, we are going to have to change the system.” This quote is over 53 years old and holds true today!
We at IMPACCT Brooklyn honor the legacy of MLK every day by working towards the vision in which people strive together to build an equitable diverse, engaged and flourishing community. We aim to arm Brooklynites with the tools and support for today’s society. We understand that system change, social change, is a journey. We advocate for change with like organizations and stakeholders for income equality, racial equity and the right to income-targeted quality housing. Income inequality remains a key social justice issue that connects the work of IMPACCT Brooklyn, including advocating for and building affordable housing, as well as promoting the new tenants’ rights laws.
In remembrance of MLK, this year we ask that you do a few things:
- Make Brooklyn Count: Complete the Census 2020. Local government officials use the census to ensure public safety and plan new schools and hospitals. Real estate developers and city planners use the census to plan new buildings and improve neighborhoods. The next census is coming this spring.
- Learn and engage in the conversations about the Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, and the proposed changes that may result in the comeback of redlining.
- Know Your Candidates: Be civically engaged, know your candidates and vote in all 2020 and 2021 elections. These are particularly important, especially Presidential, Congressional, NYS Senate, NYS Assembly, Mayor and City Council elections.
- Join IMPACCT: Engage with IMPACCT Brooklyn and spread the word about our workshops, programs and services.
- Resist Injustice: “Injustice here is injustice everywhere.” Get active in NYC Fair Housing Plan through WhereWeLiveNYC and testify on February 6, share the draft plan, or attend the touring exhibit with IMPACCT on February 12 at Queens Museum.
-Bernell Grier, Executive Director of IMPACCT Brooklyn
