Opinion: Let us fight for justice in Black History Month and beyond

By Leroy Comrie

This Black History Month is different from all others. It is the first one in which we are all coping with a pandemic that has cost hundreds of thousands of lives, most of them from the African-American and other communities of color. The year-long, and counting, coronavirus pandemic has completely changed the way we live, work, worship and attend events. 

In the 14th Senate District, where I am the representative, I have had the honor to work with my colleagues to fight for resources for our constituents. I must take this time to thank all of the volunteers all of the businesses and restaurants that contributed to make sure the seniors were fed, that major needs were met and that we were able to respond to any real crisis that we were made aware of.

I represent a district that is largely people of color with underlying health issues and seniors, who are naturally vulnerable. I miss hosting in person events for our seniors and others, but I am glad that we can still be in touch via community forums in the digital space.

 I am glad that Governor Cuomo and FEMA have placed a mega vaccination site and York College in Jamaica, to provide shots to Queens residents, exclusively. Our communities of color have been especially hard-hit and we have fought for this support in the state legislature and other legislative bodies.

But I am also heartened by the fact that Black History Month events continue apace via Zoom and other virtual platforms. It is important that even during these strange times we continue to celebrate our achievements gained over the centuries into today. Black History is not static, our people continue to achieve and make history even today.

In January we saw the first woman and first person of color sworn in as vice-president of the United States in the person of Kamala Harris. The Biden-Harris Administration also has many firsts, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a first as well.

But much closer to home, we have to acknowledge those who came before us to make it possible for people like myself and many others who joined the Guy R. Brewer Club as “The Young Democrats” back in the early 1980s and in time ascended to elected office. In that light, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge some of the history makers, who have made an impact on my life, but are no longer with us. 

My predecessor in the New York City Council, the late, great Archie Spigner, who was the very first African-American Councilman from Queens; businessman Lawrence Cormier, who was an exemplary entrepreneur in our community; and one-time president of the Jamaica Branch NAACP  also David Bluford who was the founding member of the Jamaica Branch NAACP and very active in the rockaways founding many early childhood educational and workforce programs in the rockaways and member of the Guy R. Brewer United Democratic Club , Timothy James, who recently died, reportedly a victim of the pandemic. 

Tim was an active member of the Guy Brewer Club and a public service employee over the years. Benjamin Wright who was a founding member of the United black men of Queens a long time member community bought 12 and an ex Air Force colonel who came to Southeast Queens after his service and helped to integrate this community also Reverend Ernestine Sanders Bishop Joseph Williams and so many others who we can't name in this short article who served Southeast Queens with distinction and never failed to be there for others

I also have to acknowledge people such as civil rights giants from Queens such as Roy Wilkins; and diplomat and Nobel Laureate Ralph Bunch, both of whom have been honored in our community with an elementary school and a park named in their honor, respectively. And Guy R. Brewer, the late assemblyman, who has a Democratic club and major thoroughfare named in his honor. 

I am grateful to have grown up and still live in a community that honors their groundbreaking memory. But while we celebrate our past, there are still deep concerns that racism across the board, which has never gone away entirely, but under the last administration, has reemerged with boldness. 

The attack on the US Capitol by racists of various strips on Jan. 6, is a stark reminder that we must remain vigilant. We can never allow ourselves to become complacent about racism. It is going on where and it is not only against African-Americans, though historically and contemporarily it is. 

However, I also want to remind readers, that our Asian-American brothers and sisters right here in Queens and throughout New York City are under attack literally and figuratively that they brought the coronavirus here from China. It behooves all of us across the racial spectrum to condemn these outrageous attacks and stand with our Asian neighbors in this terrible moment. 

As Dr. King famously said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Let us fight for justice for all Americans regardless of their national origin.

State Sen. Leroy Comrie represents Briarwood, Cambria Heights, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Hillcrest, Jamaica, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills, Kew Gardens, Laurelton, Queens Village, Rosedale, South Jamaica, Springfield Gardens and St. Albans.