Solve systemic racism? Candidates for mayor of Nashville are fumbling to propose actions at the candidates’ forum.

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Caroline EggersWPLN News

Nashville mayoral candidate Freddie O’Connell speaks during a forum at the Fifteenth Avenue Baptist on July 9, 2023.

Systemic racism has caused unequal poverty, incarceration, educational achievement and health outcomes in Nashville.

What will the next mayor do?

People who want the job struggled to give answers at a forum hosted by Nashville Organized for Action and Hope, or NOAH, on Sunday.

Caroline Eggers WPLN News

Nashville for Organized Action and Hope hosted a Mayors Forum at Fifteenth Avenue Baptist on July 9, 2023.

We have to do better, said Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, during the 60-second time limit to respond.

All of the candidates acknowledged that systemic racism exists in Nashville. Two candidates, Matt Wiltshire and Vivian Wilhoite, said they would make Metro departments more diverse.

Others offered statistics. Most gave examples of what they have done in their current jobs. A few people insisted on talking about racism.

Call it things, said Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville.

Talk about it first, said Stephanie Johnson, who added that she has individual programs for different races and populations. If we want to talk about racism, we have to talk about the issues that systematically hurt…groups.

The candidates did not list any other potential action for mayor.

It did not go unnoticed.

Listen carefully in order to answer the question posed, Reverend Judy Cummings, a NOAH volunteer and forum moderator, told the panel.

The forum was held in one of Nashville’s oldest black churches, the Fifteenth Avenue Baptist. It sits on the invisible line between Germantown and Buena Vista, providing a reflection of the city’s racial disparity.

Germantown is 83% white, nearly 60% of households earn at least $75,000, and 49% of residents have a bachelor’s degree. Buena Vista is 77% black, 72% of households earn less than $25,000 a year, and 10% of people have bachelor’s degrees, according to Niche.

These two neighborhoods are part of ZIP 37208, which, according to a 2018 study, had, at one point, the highest incarceration rate in the country.

We are still righting the wrong of this mass incarceration, Councilman Freddie OConnell said during his remarks, drawing attention to how the city waived some jailer fees in 2018.

Caroline Eggers WPLN News

Jim Gingrich sends out an ad with the slogan “more cops, more money”.

Cities have the ability to invest in neighborhoods through “opportunity zone models” and tailor urban green spaces to specific community needs and minority experiences. Most of the recommendations to address structural racism through local government include calls for criminal justice reform.

Jim Gingrich, who recently sent out a campaign letter with the slogan “More cops, more money.” Jim Gingrich knows what it takes to keep Nashville safe,” plans to hire additional police officers and equip them with “state-of-the-art equipment.”

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