Attica Scott: emerging state leader moving Kentucky forward

July 17 was a great day. Not because it was 80 with pretty blue skies, but because I had the honor and opportunity to converse with Kentucky State Representative-Elect Attica Scott. I experienced firsthand her bright personality during our interview, sunny spirit and clear confidence when she met constituents during our tour of District 41. I saw her thunder advocacy skills during KFTC's Preserving Kentucky Medicaid ad hoc meeting, and personable professionalism to the highest degree! Yes, I'm a fan!

I'm also pretty spontaneous. So of course we began our conversation with a "celebration" of Attica Scott's victory on being our state's first African-American woman elected to Kentucky's legislature since 2000!

Attica Loves Kentucky and We Love Her

She's one of my role models, so I was excited to point out our similarities, like, we're both loving mothers and Louisville natives, we are both graduates of duPont Manual High School and Emerge Kentucky, we're women of faith, educators, community and state advocates who are passionate about advocating for Social Justice, Environmental Justice, Equality, Protections for Individuals with Disabilities, Juvenile Justice, Fairness for all, and helping improve the quality of life of others.

Like Kentucky's Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, our Lieutenant Governor Jenean Hampton, our late Kentucky Senator Georgia Powers and our country's first woman presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, Attica Scott is breaking barriers and giving hope to girls like our daughters Ashanti and Destiny and our Emerge sisters who like these women want to improve the lives of others while changing the face of politics! She's a true trailblazer who said, "I want people to know they can count on me as a politician to hear their voice and I will let people know they have power that they are a part of our decision making."

We Have Much Work To Do.

As a member of KFTC's Ad Hoc Racial Justice Committee, I wanted to be sure to touch on Race Relations. I asked, "Attica, please give your thoughts on the recent police shootings resulting in the deaths of more African American men as well as the deaths of police officers. What are some ways we can improve race relations in Kentucky?

She replied: "I have so many thoughts about these shootings. Alton Sterling and Philando Castile are two in a string of killings of Black people by law enforcement. We must remember Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Oscar Grant, Deng Manyoun and so many more. And we are called to remember the Latino and Native Indians killed by law enforcement.

“I am disappointed in the people who want to tie the shootings of police officers to Black Lives Matter. Please do not insult this powerful movement with that kind of hurtful rhetoric. Black Lives Matter has denounced these killings and reminded us of its commitment to nonviolence. Unfortunately, we do not even expect law enforcement to denounce the killings committed by their colleagues.

“I believe that leaving these shootings unaddressed or with few indictments or guilty verdicts, serves to add to the division that has historically existed between communities of color and law enforcement – divisions that impact race relations in Kentucky. We have so much work to do to improve race relations in Kentucky. We are divided along lines of economic status, social background, cultural norms, education attainment, life experiences, etc. We have to be more intentional about moving from dialogue to action.

“For example, some of the honest conversations that people have been having about police violence is now moving toward white people showing up for racial justice. Showing up is part of improving race relations. We must also address institutional and systemic racism that maintains oppression against people of color – from boards and commissions that lack any kind of racial inclusion to policies, practices and procedures that lend themselves to racial profiling and exclusion.”

Excited to note that KFTC is among a small number of prominent organizations in Kentucky who are standing up for racial justice I was curious to learn more about how we might move from dialogue to action. So I asked what can social justice organizations like Kentuckians For The Commonwealth do to help legislators like her? She paused briefly as if to gather her thoughts and then hit me with her mental list.

1. "I need social justice organizations like KFTC to let me know what issues are pertinent so I'll know what to fight for.
2. I need KFTC to come to me and say these are the issues we are working on and we need your help.
3. Hold community forums to help give people a voice.
4. Empowering people means being role models and setting a positive example for others through the work you do."

Attica's Vision for Kentucky

After I asked what her vision for Kentucky is, she said, "What a huge question. I am more concerned about the vision of Kentucky that is held by people who feel left behind. Of course, I have some thoughts. I want a Kentucky that is about freedom, justice and equality for the most oppressed. I want a Kentucky that will stand up to corporate and political bullies. I want a Kentucky, that, in 20 years will be environmentally sound, where people are earning living wages, where women no longer are under attack by our legislature, where queer rights are a given, where there is no police violence. I want a Kentucky where students are serving on every school board, where we no longer incarcerate young people who talk back, where every Kentuckian is healthy and safe. Together, we can realize that vision."

We're Better Together

In short, we're better together and I couldn’t agree more!

Eager to tour District 41 together where we visited several of Rep. Scott's constituents who were ecstatic to see her, took photo ops at Muhammad Ali's childhood home, walked the Peace Labyrinth, checked out brilliant Little Free Library and reflected in front of a colorful building of hope with the encouraging crown quote that reads, "We will rise together." I decided to conclude with a surprise party! (Check out the photos in this article)

After learning that one of Attica's hidden talents is rapping, I knew we'd make a good duo. So I whipped out my bag of party props, we chose our favorite, a patriotic hat and lei for me and crimson red pom poms for Attica.

Before the tape stopped rolling, this humble leader who's final thoughts were, "I want people to know they matter to me and that I will show up." helped me pay tribute to the organization whose mission inspires us to do what she envisions for Kentucky, to "work together, build our strength, individually and as a group, as we find solutions to real life problems."

We had a ball singing both the traditional and Stevie Wonder versions of the Happy Birthday song to Kentuckians For The Commonwealth!!!