Event
April 29, 2020
The Role of Mayors in the Covid-19 Response for Black communities
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April 29, 2020
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As President Trump and his Republican allies continue to politicize the response, it is becoming apparent that mayors, especially in southern Republican states, are playing a special role in keeping Black communities safe and advocating for sound policy.
Third Way Senior Fellow Akunna Cook discusses the role of mayors and local governments with Columbia, SC Mayor Steve Benjamin and Andre Perry, Fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program and noted expert on urban policy particularly as it relates to race.
Key takeaways:
- “We can use this as an opportunity to build intergovernmental relationships,” Mayor Steve Benjamin said at the beginning of the discussion. Let the data drive the solutions for states, not the arbitrary dates for reopening. “If consumer confidence is not there,” Mayor Benjamin said, “the economy will not start up again.”
- “The policies of the past are what’s underlying the disproportionate amount deaths in our communities,” said Andre Perry. And the response makes black leaders more vulnerable, as they have more a steeper climb to recovery post-COVID compared to majority-white communities. “We won’t see relief in black cities as we shift toward recovery; we will continue seeing these issues roll over in the next, inevitable epidemic.”
- “Race is not a risk factor, but racism is,” Perry added. The disparities present in majority-black communities lie within the structural racism of housing codes, access to health care, and to education.
- “You have to work on infrastructure during this time of crisis.” Mayor Benjamin emphasized as he spoke of the proactive policy response needed. It puts people back to work, helps restore cities in the long term, and reduces structural inequalities of minority communities.