A statement regarding the death of Cedric Lofton
The Neighboring Movement seeks a community that is relational, abundant, and joyful. When we see these shared values lived out in communities across the world, we spotlight them and praise them. Conversely, when we see instances that harm this type of community we are obligated to name it and call for accountability. In our hometown, we recently lost a 17-year-old named Cedric Lofton, a black teenager, who was killed after being taken to the county juvenile detention center. We, at The Neighboring Movement, are calling for accountability in response to this death.
We are grateful for the local organizers and public servants in our community who have galvanized to call for an independent investigation of Cedric Lofton’s death. We fully support their efforts. Their leadership has provided a glimpse of what accountability looks like when a community functions well. This is a call for accountability for those in power AND for all of us who want the deaths of young black men to stop. Additionally, this particular case is a call for our communities to recognize the vast need for holistic mental health resources that address the root of many challenges plaguing our communities and its residents.
We are calling for accountability for every person reading this letter. Moments like these happen when there is a void of relationships. Our social systems failed Cedric far before he was tackled to the ground in a detention center. As an organization, here are some of the ways we are calling on the community to participate in the accountability needed to correct this situation.
Seek out conversations about race and resist defensiveness when you are challenged. Find dialogue partners, educational materials, and resources that challenge your assumptions on race.
Find a young person to mentor. There are 1 in 3 young people in our communities who do not have a mentor. The benefits of mentors are highly studied and have huge impacts.
Support local activists. Their efforts often draw negative attention. Let them know you see them and support them by finding an organization to donate your time, talents, or treasures to.
We hope that all parties are held accountable in the case of Cedric Lofton. We will hold those in power to the same high standard we hold ourselves. Together, we will seek to create a world where these tragic events are made impossible.
