(MADISON) – In response to today’s racially motivated shooting in Jacksonville, Florida, Senator Lena C. Taylor (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement:
“The significance of today’s racially motivated shooting in Jacksonville, Florida should not be lost on anyone. As we commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the historic March on Washington, hate speech, disdain for diversity, and intolerance are on the rise.
Three Black people lost their lives today for no other reason than they were black and it’s time to call a thing a thing. I appreciate that Jacksonville’s Sheriff T.K. Waters did not mince words. These people died because of the color of their skin.
We have a bevy of elected officials, those running for office and some of their supporters who barter in hate, fear, and racial superiority, poorly disguised as legislative proposals, policy, and laws. This shooting, like so many before that were steeped in grievance and hatred, is the manifestation of rhetoric intended to pit one group against another. The sad reality is that we all lose when we allow ourselves to be manipulated by those who seek nothing more than power.
Many people have long believed that Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis’ mantra, where “woke” goes to die, was just another word for black people. Today, Black people have died and we have to ask why? We must be honest about the power of words and actions that diminish the value and contributions of Black people. Attacks on Black history, affirmative action and voting rights are an extension of the AR style weapon used to gun these victims down.
We will either choose to co-exist, accept differences, and grow this country in a way that allows all of us to live, thrive, and “just be” or we will let the disease of racism destroy us. My heart goes out to the victims of today’s tragedy and their families.”
