Andrea Jenkins, vice president of the Minneapolis City Council, said that racism is a virus “that has affected our entire society for far too long,” responding to the death of George Floyd.
Jenkins represents the community where Floyd died.
“The people in my community are pained, are traumatized... We must absolutely must see justice for George. That is what community is seeking. That is what community is asking for,” Jenkins told CNN’s Brooke Baldwin.
She added that while she does not condone the violence and looting that stemmed from the protests, she also understands “the outrage that people are expressing.”
When asked by Baldwin if she had any had a message for white America on how they can act in regard to racism in the country, Jenkins said:
“I wish I had all the smart answers to provide to white people.
A. Stop killing us.
B. Give black people opportunities to live full, healthy lives. That means access to employment... that means access to safe and affordable housing.
We are in the midst of a pandemic right now and we need to see resources going to the most vulnerable people… however, nobody is providing those kinds of issues.”
Jenkins added that while she isn’t calling any single person a racist, she believes that people who benefit from racism are “the only people that can end it.”
“We need white people to stop perpetuating the system of racism,” she said.
Jenkins called on officials to declare racism a public health issue during a news conference today.