Brave Voices, Brave Choices Movement Begins Tuesday In HoCo

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Brave Voices, Brave Choices initiative kicks off Tuesday and invites community members to engage in activities this summer and training sessions this fall that reflect upon Howard County residents' personal experiences related to racism and discrimination. By examining stories and the impact they have had on people’s lives, participants will look for patterns that represent systemic biases and oppressive constructs that support, promote and perpetuate racism within the Howard County community.

“At Howard County Library System, we condemn racism, xenophobia, misogyny, hatred and racial and gendered violence in all forms against all people. We believe in standing against racism and hatred each time it is in our midst and strategizing to enact change until America’s promises ring true for all people. We believe true and lasting change requires true and lasting intention to learn, grow and act,” HCLS President and CEO Tonya Aikens said in a statement.

In the past year, HCLS has been advancing racial equity for its staff and the larger community. Internally, HCLS staff have engaged in leadership development, staff training and REAL (Racial Equity at the Library) Conversations. For the community, HCLS has provided opportunities for racial equity training and conversation, curated reading lists and other learning materials, hosted speakers, led classes and organized community events. Its new Racial Equity Alliance, comprising 20 community leaders, guides the library in carrying out equity work and engagement opportunities.

“Hatred simply makes no sense. I want to live in a Howard County where I don’t have to explain to my young, black son how a person could hate him because of the color of his beautiful caramel skin or the ‘crown’ of his kinky, cottony hair. I want him to see, through efforts like the Racial Equity Alliance, that the work, tears, voices and bloodshed by so many freedom fighters have not gone in vain but continue in citizens courageous enough to expose racism in all its forms, heal together and to dismantle systems that fail to uplift our common humanity, dignity and shared prosperity," Howard County NAACP’s Laura Johnson said.