REMARKS
Council Member Crystal Hudson speaks on Intro 242-A and addressing racial injustice in NYC
0:04:54
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110 sec
Council Member Crystal Hudson addresses the committee about Intro 242-A, which establishes a truth, healing, and reconciliation process in New York City.
She discusses the ongoing impact of slavery and racial discrimination on Black New Yorkers and emphasizes the need for the city to confront these injustices.
- Hudson highlights current issues faced by Black New Yorkers, including disproportionate police stops and predatory real estate practices.
- She mentions that Intro 242-A is part of her broader "Black Agenda for New York City" initiative.
- Hudson acknowledges the passage of related bills, including Intro 279-A, demonstrating the City Council's commitment to addressing systemic racism.
Crystal Hudson
0:04:54
Good morning, and thank you, Chair Williams, for giving me the opportunity to speak on intro 242 a, which the committee is voting on today.
0:05:02
It should be no surprise that our city is still reckoning with the long shadow cast by the enslavement of African and indigenous American people and its enduring impact on black Americans.
0:05:13
Since slavery was banned in New York in 1827, our city still generated significant income from the illegal trade of enslaved people, and black New Yorkers continued to experience racially motivated discrimination, riots, segregation and violence.
0:05:28
And these practices continue to this day.
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Black New Yorkers are eight times more likely to be stopped by the police under suspicion of a crime because of nothing more than the color of their skin.
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Black homeowners and previously red lined neighborhoods are preyed upon by real estate speculators looking to trick them into signing away their homes, commonly known as deep theft.
0:05:48
New York City must confront these injustices head on and prioritize the needs of black residents to forge a path toward genuine equity and healing.
0:05:57
My black agenda for New York City originally published in 2021 includes a comprehensive city wide truth healing and reconciliation process to acknowledge the breadth of the historical mistreatment of Black New Yorkers and confront the city's racist practices.
0:06:11
I'm proud that the passage of intro 242 a now makes this a reality.
0:06:15
And by passing 242 a alongside intro 279 a introduced by council members Lewis and Williams, and a number of other bills, the city council underscores its commitment to confronting and acknowledging the destructive racist policies that have harmed black communities.
0:06:30
I look forward to continuing to work alongside my colleagues and the council to dismantle the generations of systemic and natural anti black racism ingrained in our city.
0:06:39
And congratulations again to council member Lewis and council member Williams.
0:06:43
Thank you.
