Philando Castille

Build A Movement

Racism is America’s original sin. Racism that built this nation using the free labor of enslaved Africans. Racism embedded in our original Constitution, claiming that my Black ancestors held only 3/5 of value compared to a white person. Racism that led to racial segregation and discriminatory laws in education, housing and employment. Racism that created a system of law enforcement designed to disproportionately incarcerate Black Americans. For over 400 years, America has used racism to build a wall around Black Americans. This wall has kept Black Americans excluded from opportunities to learn, to work and to vote.   

The Heinous Murder of George Floyd and Race in America

As Vice-Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus and Chair of the Senate Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color — and more importantly, as a human being — I am appalled by the senseless killing of George Floyd. His death is another tragic reminder of the police violence that has devastated Black families and communities for decades.

A Wounded Nation: Why We Can’t Give Up in the Fight for Justice

As our fellow Californians and Americans protest across our country, we must not lose sight of why they are protesting. It’s because of a deep pain that we recognize all too well. The pain of not confronting a dark history that has spanned the life of our country. The pain of recognizing our fathers, uncles, brothers, mothers, sisters, and aunts in the faces of so many Black men and women who were taken from us because of racism and violence.