City can never become complacent about racial disparities

It is with some trepidation that we acknowledge a new survey of the worst cities for Black Americans. It’s a list of the 10 worst cities. And Madison’s not on it.

Certainly the methodology used is different than that cited in the Race to Equity report. And it may or may not be a reflection of strides taken in the last two years in response to Race to Equity, which found Madison to be the number one worst city in terms of racial disparity. But we believe it would be a mistake not to at least acknowledge the 24/7 Wall Street study and consider it, if nothing else, as a step in the right direction.

But that’s where the trepidation comes in.

While we are eager to celebrate authentic, sustainable and documented improvements in our disparities in Madison and Dane County, we are afraid that at the first appearance of those gains we will again become complacent.

We must never become complacent about racial disparities. But we also must believe it is possible to rise above being the worst. But at least this measure, it is.