See our blog post and other messages here.

We write with the assumption that you’ve seen the calls to be antiracist, the multitude of resources for white allies, and the action steps white Americans are being called to take. We echo the calls to find ways to talk with other white people (including your families and your constituents) about how to show up differently. If you have questions or other needs about stepping fully into this type of work, reach out. 

But we are not here to implore you just to be strong white allies in the broad sense, but rather to use your distinct power as white state legislators to fight for racial justice. Do your research, listen, and follow the lead of your Black colleagues on the frontlines. If you’re showing up fully, it is going to feel uncomfortable. You will feel stretched and challenged to partner differently with your Black colleagues and constituents, you will realize there are many things you don’t know, and this will require humility and an earnest desire to proactively learn, grow, and stumble along the way.

What does this look like? Ask yourself:

• Have you checked in on your Black colleagues? Have you asked them how they are doing personally and how you can be supportive during this time? When they have made specific requests for support, have you honored those requests? Are you proactively stepping in to share in the emotional and physical labor of advancing racial justice under the dome?

• Are you supporting legislation to combat police brutality and advance racial equity? Are you using your privilege to do more than co-sponsor bills? Are you convincing other white colleagues (in your caucus or across the aisle) to sign on; are you calling on leadership to prioritize these bills? Are you championing these bills in your community and with your constituents? Are you giving credit and airtime to your Black legislative peers so their voices are centered?

• How do you include and center the experiences of Black voices in the creation of your public policy priorities from here on out? How do you engage and build relationships with your Black constituents? How does racial equity show up in the ways you identify, recruit, and support the staff and volunteers you work with? 

This is not a moment to temporarily support racial justice, but to fully embrace the lifetime commitment it will take to radically transform our society, our democracy, and our institutions. 

To those of you who are seeking moderate reforms, we implore you to stop, listen, and support the work of your Black colleagues. Remind yourself that you and your family have not survived the terror of white supremacy for generations and that you cannot truly understand the experiences of being Black in America. 

If you are struggling to respond to constituents who don’t realize that business losses are replaceable, but Black life is not, that the best answer is policy reform that takes the side of justice, not property protection. Know that history will condemn complicity, silence, or aggression in this moment of transformation. It may be tempting to go for the quick wins, but we implore you step back and center the voices of Black folks who have been fighting for liberation for centuries.

Simply, we ask that you live into a new form of governing--by listening to the people who are closest to the pain. 

Do not fall into the trap of thinking this is not your issue, this is not your struggle. We all know that racism relies on pitting working people against each other and against good government; we know that economic pain is used to fuel racial resentment and facilitates scapegoating. We can see all of this culminating in the debates about the protests that are happening today. 

I hope you see that each of us has a role to play in building a world that honors, respects and protects Black lives. Our lives, our communities, and our future depends on it.

In the words of Angela Davis, “freedom is a constant struggle.” Are you in it?

--Jessie Ulibarri and Neha Patel, SiX Co-Executive Directors 

See our blog post and other messages here.

As leaders of color, our goal in this fight is to honor and uplift the needs of Black folks who are fed up with 400 years of anti-Black racism and white supremacy. We also recognize the unique responsibility of SiX to provide space to mobilize people who are not Black to join in this work and find unique ways to support legislators in our network who are actively grappling with anti-Blackness at the center of policies that have harmed communities for generations.

White supremacy threatens our lives on a daily basis — although the effects of anti-Black racism are not experienced by each of us equally. We are all aware that the racial caste system in which we live and breathe is designed to sow disunity and distrust across lines of difference. We see it in anti-Black attitudes and behaviors in our communities and families, the colorism that praises light skin and proximity to whiteness and demonizes darkness, and the way communities of color are often pitted against each other regardless of who holds political power. To dismantle this system, we must show up as allies and partners in this moment by uplifting, supporting, and collaborating with our Black colleagues and constituents.

We know that so many of you, like us, find yourselves swinging between rage, grief, and hopelessness. We know you respect the needs of your Black colleagues, and that you may also need space to process and conspire, without managing the reactions and emotions of your white colleagues who, perhaps for the first time, are realizing the depth of violence and destruction white supremacy has wrought in our communities for centuries. As you hold this depth of complexity, we ask that we collectively step up our efforts to fight anti-Black racism broadly, which starts with an examination of our own attitudes, beliefs, and actions. We implore you to seek and share resources that can help you take on the leadership of talking with your families and communities in a way that builds deeper solidarity, trust, and connection in this fight for our collective humanity.

Like you all, we know that the fight for racial justice is beyond thoughts and prayers.  As we have offered to your Black colleagues, we want to offer partnership with you in this fight. We will be lifting up policy solutions supported by Black-led organizations and creating spaces for legislators to learn about these policies. We will be working with Black-led organizations and movement leaders to bring resources, viewpoints, and leadership to our full network. We will also remain open to new ideas and new calls for action. Let us know if there are any additional supports we can offer at this time. You can send recommendations or ideas to helpdesk@stateinnovation.org.

We will continue this fight and work directly with all of you in our network who are actively grappling with the anti-Blackness at the center of policies that have harmed communities for generations. SiX is here to partner with you and your colleagues to envision a new way to govern, one that centers liberation long promised and never delivered.

Finally, thank you for all that you do for your communities. 

--Jessie Ulibarri and Neha Patel, SiX Co-Executive Directors 

See our blog post and other messages here.

First, we want to recognize that you are being called to do more than what seems humanly possible in moments like these: lead your community, legislate within historically white power structures, organize/educate/lobby your caucuses, deal with constituents (both supportive and awful)–all while dealing with the personal grief, rage, frustration, and fear that comes with being Black in America today. 

We are committed to supporting your leadership and work to dismantle anti-Black racism and white supremacy. We will be lifting up policy solutions supported by Black-led organizations and creating spaces for legislators to learn about these policies. We will be working with Black-led organizations and movement leaders to bring resources, viewpoints, and leadership to our full network. We will be monitoring news and social media for your voices and work to lift them up across state lines. We will be clarifying specific actions that your legislative colleagues must take. We will also remain open to new ideas and new calls for action.  

Most importantly, we want to affirm that we are listening and will respond to the needs you raise. We aren’t looking for you to tackle this herculean challenge alone, so please know that we are ready to commit our staff and organizational resources to the requests you make of us. As our team takes appropriate space to center your voices, let us know if there are any additional supports we can offer at this time. You can send recommendations or ideas to helpdesk@stateinnovation.org.

We will continue this fight and work directly with all of you in our network who are actively grappling with the anti-Blackness at the center of policies that have harmed communities for generations. SiX is here to partner with you and your colleagues to envision a new way to govern, one that centers liberation long promised and never delivered.

Finally, thank you. We know that you have been leaders in this fight - with your families, your communities, and among your elected colleagues - for long before the protests hit the mainstream news. The work you have already done in your states–including the 136 state and local policies that have passed to combat police brutality since 2014–is a beacon of hope and possibility for the reforms our nation is finally calling for.

Thank you for continuing to lead in this moment. You are the leaders our nation needs right now. 

--Jessie Ulibarri and Neha Patel, SiX Co-Executive Directors