The third annual Bridging Communities for Racial Equity event will take place on Sunday, May 21 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Springhill Lake Recreation Center. This year’s theme of Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges reflects the sponsors’ intent to consider historical and current challenges in advancing racial equity in Greenbelt and to develop actionable goals that connect and engage all Greenbelters.
This year’s coalition of sponsors includes Greenbelt Racial Equity Alliance, Connecting Across Greenbelt, Baháʼí of Greenbelt, CHEARS, Greenbelt Interfaith Leadership Association, Greenbelt Voices Rising, Prince George’s Peace and Justice Coalition, Random Unselfish Acts of Kindness and The SPACE Free Art For All.
Nirvan Sengupta, one of the event organizers and this year’s moderator, explains the broader focus: “Remembering the past and the tragic killings of so many people of color are important and we continue to do that. We are increasing our focus on why we remember so we can pay attention to progress in racial equity and examine and work to change the barriers to people connecting and having equal access in Greenbelt. By building bridges, we build community.”
This year’s George Floyd Remembrance program will include speakers and break-out sessions to discuss three key questions:
1) Why do we choose to remember George Floyd and the history of racial injustice in our country, state and city?
2) What progress have you seen in racial equity and connecting the people and neighborhoods of Greenbelt?
3) What actions are still needed to better connect Greenbelt and expand racial equity?
Franklin Park leader and CHEARS Coordinator Carolyn Lambright-Davis observed: “We are making progress in getting more programs and services in all the neighborhoods. The SPACE, RUAK, CHEARS and many other organizations are developing more programs in Franklin Park and other parts of Greenbelt. More groups and the city are embracing a practice the CHEARS board follows of intentional planning of activities for all three parts of Greenbelt – East, West and Central. This leads to more access for everybody.”
Connecting Across Greenbelt was organized over three years ago by Lois Rosado and Tom Adams to work to engage all the people and neighborhoods of Greenbelt. Adams explains: “We recognized that the Beltway, Kenilworth Avenue, the Parkway and Greenbelt Road physically divide Greenbelt into many places. History and practices divide us racially. To connect Greenbelt, we have to address both physical barriers and attitudes and beliefs that limit racial equity.”
The May 21 event will examine progress and barriers to connections at the concrete level of roads, bridges and walkways as well as social, education and economic barriers to equity.
Sengupta has researched some of the physical barriers to connecting Greenbelt and shared this reflection: “A mere 2,000 feet separate Franklin Park and Buddy Attick Park but for some people in Greenbelt West, Lake Artemesia in Berwyn Heights is more accessible than Greenbelt Lake. Imagine how many more people would enjoy Old Greenbelt if they could walk across the highway infrastructure.”
Shaymar Higgs, founder of The SPACE, summed up why we all need to participate this way: “To achieve real change in Greenbelt, we need everybody to participate. Without participation and action, we are just telling stories and wishing for a better community. We are making progress and more is possible. Join us in celebrating the progress and defining the priority actions to make Greenbelt a more connected and equitable place to live.”
For more information and a flyer with details, visit greenbeltracialequity.org.