FONTANA, Calif. – San Bernardino County is taking a public stand on racism - becoming the first county in California to declare racism a public health crisis.

But community leaders like Pastor Samuel J. Casey of New Life Christian Church in Fontana have been working towards this step for several weeks - after Cleveland, Ohio became the first city to the make the declaration.

What You Need To Know

  • San Bernardino County declared racism a public health crisis on Tuesday, June 23

  • Community leaders have worked together for several weeks to make the declaration

  • The declaration addresses social disparities that result from racism

  • Local pastor hopes public acknowledgment will foster change

“You can’t address a problem unless you’re first willing to acknowledge it. And not pander to it or placate, but really be serious about addressing the issue. And for that I will celebrate the County Board of Supervisors for being courageous enough to even have the conversation around racism,” Casey said.

The San Bernardino County board of supervisors made the declaration on Tuesday.

“If we do not do this we will be working against ourselves. I once again, I’m so proud of each person that had the strength, the pride, the good will to come forward. Let’s work together, let’s make something beautiful happen. And I am so glad that we are the first county to be initiating this change to be moving forward,” Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales said.

The declaration addresses social disparities that result from racism.

Supervisor Gonzales was one of the members to unanimously approve the motion. He hopes that it will bring awareness to the effects racism has on community health.

Related Stories

“Is beginning to move forward in this arena does not signify that racism is over - there is no racism. It signifies there is now an awareness, a new level of awareness by which we are responsible to act and bring about change,” Supervisor Gonzales said.

As the community moves forward, Pastor Casey hopes this public acknowledgment will foster conversation and change.

“If you’ve been Black in America any day, any moment, we’ve always been under this pandemic called racism. So we’ve got work to do. And I believe this resolution and the County of San Bernardino is going to lead the way for that work. It’s going to take some time, and it’s going to be difficult but we’re going to get it done,” Casey said.