Andrea is the Senior Associate Director of Programs for Heartland Alliance International. Her experience managing programs and serving marginalized individuals globally is directly tied to her decision to act in recent marches for Black Lives. Andrea is a human rights activist, first and foremost – which includes her efforts in the fight to dismantle systemic racism in all forms and to help amplify the voices of those who have been unheard for too long.
Why have you been compelled to act during this tumultuous time?
I am tired of seeing the injustice of one Black person after another losing their lives at the hands of those in power, with no changes being made and no one held accountable, individually or institutionally. This is a global crisis that we have been in for centuries. I believe that we, not only as human rights workers, but also as individuals, have a responsibility to defend and fight for those most in need and suffering. When we decide to work in human rights, we understand that supporting this effort encompasses any injustice issues relating to the mistreatment of marginalized groups.
As a woman of color who was born in the US to immigrant parents, racial injustice and colorism were some of the first types of human rights issues with which I was confronted. Perhaps subconsciously, it was the impetus that led to my domestic and international work to defend the human rights of people around the world. We are facing multiple global health and societal crises at this very moment, all of which are important and need to be addressed with targeted, sustained efforts. I want to do what I can to ensure that no more individuals are discriminated against, hurt, or killed due to the color of their skin.
What do you hope comes from this activism?
I want an end to all forms of police brutality that needlessly incarcerates and kills Black people. But it does not end there. My hope is that every person and institution does the work to recognize and protect every person’s humanity and rights, and that those that do not are held accountable for their actions. I especially want to see these changes in our education system, healthcare, housing, and hiring practices. I am glad to see more companies joining the movement in big and small ways, even from some of the most unlikely sources, like NASCAR banning the confederate flag, or babynames.com showing the names of Black Americans killed as a result of police brutality, and Band-Aid finally making bandages that reflect the diverse complexions of our country. We are all experiencing a societal transition, and this must be a collective effort in order to lead to sustainable improvement.
Do you have any tips or something you would like to say to others thinking about acting?
Every act and every voice makes a difference. We all have a platform in which to act. There’s strength in numbers, and collectively, we can embrace this momentum to make the waves that we want to see.
If there is anything that we learned from this COVID-19 pandemic, it is that what affects just one person anywhere in the world affects us all. We have seen now that these are not isolated incidents, but are the latest in a long history and larger pattern of systemic racism. We are all responsible for what happens next, and now is the time to be a part of the conversation and action. The discomfort of talking about racism does not compare to the discomfort felt by those directly affected by overt and covert racism. Look within your own environment to see what acts you can take to help dismantle racist practices and hold each other accountable. Don’t hesitate to speak up to defend someone, because you can inspire others to do the same. We can all be leaders in this movement and must stand by one another.
