Yonkers City Council Member Shanae Williams has experienced her share of racism since moving to New York State from her native Jamaica.
At a recent Rally for Justice event in Bedford, Williams was asked to speak of her own thoughts and experiences as a black woman in America. Before a crowd of 1500 supporters, she described the differences between her native country and her new home.
“As a young black woman, I have experienced racism to my face in school,” Williams stated. “As a Jamaican, I didn’t think about race until I came to this country. Only then did I realize that the odds were against me.”
As she continued to share her perspective, Williams shed light on the issue of systemic racism—a problem she has experienced firsthand and continues to see in the public sector.
“When I worked in the mayor’s office as a black woman I was making significantly less than my white counterpart doing the exact same job with exact same title,” Williams described. “I dealt with racism and sexism. He was making $75,000 and I was making $45,000. Why is that? There is systemic racism and systemic sexism in our society. It’s a problem and I want to focus on these issues and how we can break them down and change them.”
Council member Williams was joined at the rally by Yonkersites Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins and County Legislator Christopher Johnson. Williams urged her fellow public servants to use their influence to speak out against prejudice and racism.
“You are privileged as white people,” Williams stated. “But that’s ok because you can use your privilege to help those not so privileged.” She continued, “If you work with a black person that’s not getting the same pay, it’s your job as a white person to advocate for the black person. Make sure it doesn’t go unnoticed or without recognition. Speak up.”
The Rally for Justice was held on Sunday, June 7th, and was organized by Sorvina Carr as a memorial for George Floyd.
