Jessica Yorko, guest writer Published 12:18 p.m. ET July 16, 2020 | Updated 12:18 p.m. ET July 16, 2020

Jessica Yorko(Photo: Courtesy photo)

A palpable power shift is underway in our nation and community. We stand at the precipice of bending the arc of the universe towards justice for centuries to come.

Listen and you will hear grief, frustration, exhaustion, pain and uncertainty. Look and you will see courage in the face of great risk, soul searching, glimmers of reckonings and comeuppances, healing spaces for people harmed by anti-Blackness and refrains of Time's Up on Racism.

You will also see head-ducking, blame-shifting and doubling down on racism.

When we look back on this moment in history, what will we say about the role we played? Did we bear witness to pain and injustices that have gone unseen and unheard for far too long? Did we amplify the truths being elevated in this moment? Did we create accountability to Black, Indigenous and other people of color in all levels of government and society?

How are we, as white individuals, taking responsibility for harms we have caused to Black people and other people of color, regardless of intent? Do we have the humility and resilience to hear things that need to be said while working towards reconciliation and reparation? How do we listen and truly value the myriad Black and brown voices and lives in our community loud and quiet; rich and poor; queer and straight; transgender, non-binary and cis-gender; office-holders and private citizens; young and old?

Are we willing to talk about eliminating government-sanctioned use of captivity and lethal force against fellow humans?

Are we willing to re-envision government so it no longer includes institutions created to keep people in captivity? Captivity that, per the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, allows for the ongoing, legalized use of free labor (also known as slavery) among incarcerated peoplewho are disproportionately Black and brown?

What are our reservations, fears and concerns about eliminating vestiges and tools of human enslavement in our nation?

Lansing can seize this moment to abolish and restructure the systems that repress, subjugate, terrorize and murder Black and brown people. Lansing residents are leading a movement that re-envisions government structures, policies and budgets to eliminate racial oppression.

When you look back on this moment, what will you say about your role? Were you an accomplice in eliminating human enslavement? Or are you a sympathizer with those fighting to maintain the status quo of legal enslavement and use of deadly force against fellow humans?

I implore the people of this city, elected and otherwise, to look deep within themselves, seize this moment and work together until thatbright day of justice emerges.

The status quo has never been good enough. We owe it to ourselves and to each other to do better.We have a clear road map and mandate to do better. Followingthat road map is not only the work ofBlack and brown people. It is incumbent upon each of us to seize this moment and bend the arc toward justice.

Jessica Yorko isLansing residentwho served as a member of the Lansing City Council from 2010-2017.

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Yorko: All of Lansing must work to protect Black, Indigenous and other people of color - Lansing State Journal