RIVERSIDE – (INT) – Riverside County Supervisors are joining a growing number of cities proclaiming that racism is a public health crisis.

Several community members voiced the concern Tuesday that “systemic racism causes persistent racial discrimination in housing, education, employment, transportation, and criminal justice.”

“America is blessed with incredible diversity that makes us unique and is one of our strengths. But systemic racism in our country continues to limit opportunities for communities of color in ways that damage physical and mental health even across generations,” said Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington. “The time to address health disparities is long overdue.”

The ‘supes’ agreed to seek more diversity in the county’s workforce and in leadership positions; implement solutions to eliminate systemic inequality in all external services provided by the county; and enhance public education to increase understanding and awareness of systemic inequality and its impact.

Story Date: August 20, 2020