Joyce Wise | Interim executive director, Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Political Action Committee
1. What’s the purpose of the BLM PAC? To cultivate change, and representation in R.I. government by training, recruiting, supporting and electing young people of color. We see that we are underrepresented, and we are here to implement that change. We believe the only way to dismantle systemic racism is to not only have open dialogue with government officials but to put in place actions to diminish our current injustice for the better.
2. How does your experience in politics and community activism influence your plans with BLM? My experiences stem back from my time in high school at the Providence Academy of International Studies. This started when becoming a member of the districtwide student government, in which we worked to improve the way our current schools were being run while seeking answers derived by students. This followed me throughout my adult life, where I found a love for local activism.
3. Progressive-aligned candidates did well in the state’s recent primary election. What issues do you think helped fuel their success? Progressives are winning across the country … because the systems and problems with this country have become obvious. The [killings] of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor are just two in a long string of murders by police. The pandemic has highlighted the continual failure of our health care system to take care of Americans, especially people of color. Progressives recognize that these problems are not individual ones but that they are intertwined, and the voters are recognizing that too.
4. Your PAC specifically advocates for young people of color. Why is it important to have a group dedicated to representing and engaging a younger age group? I think the relevance behind engaging with the [youths] is that they bring a level of fresh new ideas that are hard to ignore. Hearing about how local young Black activists are out here not just making noise but are literally forcing officials to listen fueled something in me to awaken. I believe that young people must play a role in crafting our democracy.
5. What are the biggest obstacles to overcoming systemic racism in Rhode Island? The biggest obstacle to overcoming systemic racism in Rhode Island is uniting movements that politicians have conquered and divided to retain power. As a state, we have unfortunately struggled to unionize. In such a crucial time such as this, I have never experienced the sense of urgency to change our current status quo as I do now.
Nancy Lavin is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Lavin@PBN.com.
