Naacp president joined a conversation on the 2020 Election Results in africanamerican voters. Including how the Organization Work to increase voter turnout. Hosted by the Meridian International center, this is about 50 minutes. Good morning from washington d. C. Thank you for joining us today. The president and ceo of Meridian International center. We thank you for joining us this Motor Program this morning to naacp president derek johnson. As you all know meridian is a nonpartisan institution that is been focused on diplomacy, leadership and really convening leaders who may provide insight into some of the challenges we have today. As you know we have been going through a series of looking into the pandemic. We hope the good news of recent hours is something we can use going forward. But even if that takes place there is a huge amount of work to be done just the significant has been our focus on diversity equity and inclusion. Looking at Racial Injustice in the United States and around the world. So we can help come through this pandemic and look at how we look at the future and look at the real challenges we have had historically in our country. This park is being live streamed, it is on the record. And we are delighted to have politicos own chorizo welts who will be joining us to moderate todays panel. She has extensive background in journalism. Welcome teresa. She is with politico for several months and before that it was stateline covering state issues in the area of Human Services and welfare has worked for the tribune and a number of other publications. Shes part of a team that was awarded the kennedy price for journalism in chicago and investigation into murdered children there. She has dedicated her life to inquiry on injustice ash authors for the complexity of race. Teresa thank you for joining us today. We know that you and johnson will have a better conversation. We want to thank all of our partners for joining us today. Her teresa over to you. Think youre really happy to be here. Looking forward too having a really robust conversation with mr. Johnson. So why dont we just get right back into it . Mr. Johnson, can you talk a little bit about how the naacp was founded . And what were some of the historical issues resulted in being founded in what theyre trying to combat of the time many, many, many years ago. For small good morning teresa. Thank you meridian for the opportunity. The naacp is 111 years old. We were established in the backdrop of several years after reconstruction. Many called it redemption. The first time weve seen an upsurge in racial hate crimes. Potentially in the south. The spread across the country. Theres a group of africanamericans who decided to meet in canada to talk about how to address the race question. And many others they joined. The following year there is a race right in springfield, illinois over theres a group of whites who recognized the issue of mob violence and racial violence were not addressed we could never be the democracy we should be. They left the Previous Year to meet with them in new york. And out of that meeting was the establishment of the National Association for colored people. As a result of that meeting, we took on our mission. An Advocacy Mission to impact the formation of Public Policy. Not service. Understanding that is through Public Policy that change can happen. That racial hatred is more about structure than it is about individual behavior. Structure can influence individual behavior or at least put guardrails in place. The first Major Campaign we took on was antilynching red legislation. Given the federal Government Authority to enter a local jurisdiction to investigate, prosecute and convict individuals involved. Because there are far too many jurisdictions across the country to local Law Enforcement agencies who were involved. In these public lynchings. The Second Campaign we took on i will stop after this, a campaign in response to a movie called birth of a nation. Recognizing the images projected on the screen will really influence how individuals are treated. This was significant because this movie touted the virtues of a rachel and jenn racial hate terrorist group. Clue collects. It was disheartening to see the movie screen in the white house in 1915. But as a result the fledgling Small Organization became a national organization. So much so by the 1930s are more members of the clan in spacelike michigan indiana and space states like georgia and alabama. Can you talk a little bit about how the naacp is structured . I know theres a Legal Defense fund. Their chapters around the countrys could you break it down to understand how it works . The naacp, we are structured for local units. Branches are College Chapters are Youth Councils across the country and 47 states with over 2200 of those units from hawaii all the way to connecticut from alaska down to florida. Those are the volunteers that make up the association. They are the advocacy points. We established a Legal Department, was also professor a law professor at Harvard University and some students came on board to be a part of that Legal Department. That was inclusive of several others. 1955 part of the Legal Department split off and establish the Legal Defense fund. Now it is a separate entity from the naacp. Week coordinate and collaborate a lot. Naacp still has a direct Legal Department. We are all working towards the same outcome, equity and opportunity in the united state states. But the Legal Defense fund focus on advocacy across the country from local states to federal level. We are in this moment right now for this massive racial reckoning. The black lives Matter Movement has been accumulating support of the past few years. And racial protests have been in the public eye more than ever in the wake of the wrongful death of george floyd. So why in your view has 2020 been a Tipping Point your towards suddenly everyone is front and center for everyone. Why now . What were the forces the issues under the surface and above the surface for years. Is that the pandemic . What is going on in your view . So back in my it could be many factors. One, anyone with a smart phone and a social media platform can be a reporter. It allows for democratization of media like weve ever seen before. Two, it is been really intense with racial messaging, so much so that the environment has become very toxic. The spent great breakdown and civility. Theyre able to communicate an aggressive problem and become a National Issue in terms of using the tool of rates to advance political outcomes. You overlay that with the restlessness that people are feeling economically. The russell says people are feeling as a result of being quarantine and coping. The individual depiction of a black man being murdered in broad daylight in the street with witnesses. And theres no consideration for his life. And people responding in what has been really unique this year unlike any other year that i am aware of, are the response of communities produce a young, old, white, female, all behind a rallying cry. Son about an organization, its a factual statement that black lives matter. That under our constitution we had rights. Equal protection of the law should be afforded to all of us. That is a social contract the people begin to question pair are we truly living up to the social contract that all men and women are created equal . And if we are how do we enforce that . How do we remove the stain of our legacy of this nation from the lynching that the public square. The murder of a black mail in broad daylight by those who were sworn to uphold and protect. I think all of these things have create a response like we have not seen to get to this country i believe. One of the other things is racism in the u. S. Was considered the most important problem or one of many important problems for 71 of voters. 21 of the voters cited racial inequality is the issue that mattered the most in deciding how they voted for president. And that is a secondhighest ranking issue after the economy. So how does the naacp intend to build on this moment . And work towards producing racial inequality . And how what does that look lik like . We talk a lot about racial inequities and writing those wrongs. But what would that look like . Public policies and federal public policies. Many of the programs that were created to benefit all had a blind spot. They created inequity. Take Social Security. Once it was established for the legislative work and having inception in the Social Security law. Individuals who were domestic or Agricultural Workers were exempt from the program. Africanamericans were agriculture and Domestic Worker workers. There were decades where you had individuals who were unable to fully benefit, pay into a benefit from the Social Security program. And he worked hard every day. Absolutely, 80 of agricultural worker at the time were africanamericans. You look at the creation of federal Home Mortgage program. Perhaps the most Successful Program and creating wealth in this country because for the first time people can go to the bank and qualify for Home Mortgage and build equity. There was a decision and the creation of the law that local baker and developers could determine who would qualify and who would not. Locking out africanamericans for decades result in our inability to homeownership although we work really hard and we have no protection. Then you have the scenario was School Zoning and the whole school integration. In 1954 covid 1955 brown board of education you cannot discriminate against children or society based on race. We found is is in the Mortgage Program that School Districts are being created outside of urban cores or outside of pockets where committees are being constructed. And they had restricted covenants in certain areas therefore with the so today we look at at the reality of when a child is born the zip code would determine the likelihood of a different quality of life. The child can literally live across the street from another. Be into separate environments based on their zip code because the quality of the School District is different. The quality of the services are different. The redlining or the lack of services from the private sector is lacking. You think about detroit, michigan. As a board lie between the city of detroit and the city of dearborn. The same housing but the cost to own a home in one area compared to the other, literally across the street it is a different reality. And dearborn they are paying Property Three times less in home insurance. Three to four times less in car insurance. You go right across the street. Property taxes, home value. And there is no quality difference in the housing stock. Theres no environmental difference in terms of the shaping of the zip code. And yet you see two different realities. They take a different prospect in life. It is unfortunate that we have allowed our Public Policy to continue to foster these inequities over decades. Subjects with that in mind, the president elect biden has committed to Racial Equity being one of his priorities in this forthcoming administration. So in your view, what is the single most meaningful policy the executive branch can liver on this front that no other priority ministration has. Given the very divided congress we have in the very divided state of politics in america. I think the most important things you just i was the last thing you said the very divided congress. Because if the leader of the senate is consistent with the statement he made in 2008 and he continues that type of approach to governing. Described her audience with that statement was. So back in 2008 former president barack obama was elected. He said the single most important thing was to do all he could to ensure that barack obama failed. That his goal is to stop progress. And he did that effectively unfortunately. Thats where their vacancies on the federal courts. That of so difficult to get people confirmed. When you are in the majority in the senate you cant impede or stop any forward thinking progress. So it is hard to save the single most thing not only is it divided, there is an intentionality not to allow anything to move with a value proposition. Advocates of value proposition. Because this country is looking at the worst debt we have seen in history. They spend more money than we have ever seen. And the whole concept of being fiscally responsible went out the door over the last four years. And so i can hear clearly that is going to be fiscally responsible when it comes to programs and opportunities that benefit the whole. Im be clear, many of the opportunities that we pursue for African Americans is not only for africanamericans. It is for everybody. Talk about that a little bit and how plays out. If you have a tax policy scheme that ensures those who have more support because the support they provide actually make infrastructure thats required for us to function. It opens up opportunities to properly Fund Education and better with zip code the child lives in. You can make sure you have a domestic workforce of programs to construct bridges and roads that can employ more people. That we can take a serious look at the student debt loan crisis because student debt loan crisis is as bad as the housing crisis in 2008. We have not had that bubble. And on top of that many individuals who were impacted because of the student loan crisis was a result of pro forprofit colleges who should not have existed forget individuals who served in the military. Individuals who pursued obvious to better themselves in life were promised to greece that are not marketable. And yet they are strapped with debts. We have to address that. The federal government owns this debt. How do we address that so we can stimulate the economy . If you give households that 300 or 5 a month they are paying on their student loan and you free them up, that is more money to the economy to grow the economy. Think henry ford had the best comment ive heard. He had to pay his workers a livable wage so they could buy a car in the company can be successful. We have to do more for people so they can be a part of the Economic System so we can all do better. Those are policies that are race neutral. Or have a positive impact on the africanamerican community. Not to mention the question on housing, there are so many things. There are so many inequities that need to be addressed. I want to pivot a little bit and ask about this past election. What actions of the naacp include for voter turnout and letter barriers in voting . This been incredibly difficult hurdles to surmount in order to vote for black americans. s far as voter turnout we did not advocate for any specific Political Party or candidate. Our job, in particular my job when i walked into this position years ago was to have a datadriven program to identify African Americans who were seen as voters. They voted infrequently. There is a sharp turn down and vote percentage in the 2016 election of the first time in 20 years. And so we built out and approach for we began to communicate with voters across the country. But particularly in priority states were africanamericans participation would have it increase in the voice or the outcome of the election. Thats when you ask people to vote a particular way. We know it africanamericans turn out that we vote in like mindedness. That is not about Political Party. It is about an agenda. It is about how parties have articulated their willingness to address systemic structural barriers for that community. And we were successful in that. For the look at the turnout in detroit the statute increase or wisconsin milwaukees increase, philadelphia increased off the chart pittsburgh, atlanta, we were in all this jurisdictions. And we constantly talk to voters who were infrequent voters. Yet over 20000 volunteers who joined the ranks to begin having conversation. We pared people off in areas where they live. You sign up in the bottom chair were able to get people in your neighborhood. In some cases people in your home who had not voted in 2016. We have seen the program through our original pilot in 2018 during the midterm election. And then we expanded that in terms of removing barriers where possible. We communicated with Election Administrators on how we best to support identify resources, particularly in areas where there is early voting. We did a stronger Education Program so people could understand how to navigate a voting process in a pandemic. We filed a lawsuit this morning. We have been filing lawsuits from before the election we are going to continue to make sure that every vote is counted. And no voter is disenfranchised. I think its really important, we cannot have a Representative Democracy if we do not allow the citizens to truly participate in an open and free election. Could you talk a little bit about the lawsuit you filed any just mention . In pennsylvania there is an attempt to stop the accounts. We are intervening in that election. We got notice yesterday there is another filing. So every time there is a filing we are also seeking to intervene on behalf of of potential voters who would be injured if an account is stopped. We did the same thing in michigan, and georgia. I think this may be a third or fourth file in pennsylvania alone, this been a lot of activity that state. It is really important for us, not to disadvantage and he waited. But to advantage everyone who are legitimate voters. And our position is absent of structural changes on how we administer election so we can take the partisanship out of the administration election. We must turn out legitimate voters and overwhelm the system with votes. So that we can get to the place to address the Public Policy. We should not be operating in this manner in this democracy. So much attention has been paid with the president ial election every four years they get out to vote movement. So much of our lives though is affected by state and local policy and our day today at lives. How do you get voters that are very engaged by this election to continue that level of engagement at the state and local policy level their local option . Naacp when i took over ive talked about the need to look at the arc of democracy. Not the transaction of one election day. And that every year end multiple times a month in a year there activities on a local level that our members and others engage with. That is the program we have those out. With its the redistricting process or local election ballot or referendums. We tried to have our members engaged. And to do so in a different way. To be more informed around ultimate outcomes the decisions can have on her quality of life. Their multiple referendums are across the country preleave took position on those referendums. We can as a Nonpartisan Organization but we also can do grassroots work around issues. We also took a look at the local District Attorney races where individuals can make a decision on whether or not theres been a violation of law. Perhaps the criminal justice pipeline the District Attorney has the most discretion of anyone in that pipeline. They can determine if charges will be brought. What charges will be brought . How the case of the handled . And even in georges with the case and that District Attorney refused to bring those murders to justice, and forcefully the state at then she did not win reelection. Because people had a heightened awareness in that community of the role and the impact and significance of the District Attorney. We operate upanddown the scale around getting our members involved around the arc of democracy not the transaction of one election. and we came back and readjust. But all of the communities, their vote pattern dropped off in the local elections. Some communities whether black or white, that you are talking about, the participation in the local elections. That is awful. Because that will have more impact on your daily lives than in a federal election. This is the type of money visit spent on federal elections. Two message to the voters. It creates a different type of finish. So we are looking at ways we can get that excitement. What is difficult. And there is no magic bullet for that turnout. I would love to understand it because it is an uphill battle. So we have a question from 104 audience members. This is anonymous attending. There was sentenced late be more african and americans and the biden administration. For some of the leaders who will play a major role. Derrick is a great question. I do want to. Anything. But i would hope that is ministration will reflect more of america. That there are so any individuals with talents and skills that we have locked out of the benefit. Finally the African American community but the women in latino communities in all communities. We are very skilled and talented individuals with far too long. The inequities that we have suffocated the benefit of those so i look forward to see what this administration will look like and i truly hope that society will be better for opening up this of the talent pool that has been attacked for far too long. Host so i know youre not partisan but is there anyone in particular that you think might be particularly effective in the cabinet. Derrick we have, well for education we have a lot of competent and qualified individuals who are with educational, there are a ton of people of the doj. My counterpart, she would be great person. I just want to cause any names or quality names out because theres so much talent that is been underutilized in all communities. In a help this administration will really tap into some of that pallets to create a society that we can all be proud of. One of the things that is most distressing is with the loss of civility in our Public Discourse is how the globe is looking at has. We will point to be a beacon with our lights are dimming as a result of how we have related to one another across political spectrums. This should not be and i hope we can and this could be a Movement Towards opening up the discourse. And this administration, we begin to see if it escalates after the 2000 election. Its not across or its not because of one person or one administration per unit is the result of the things that we put forth that we bring shore or the discourse back into the place. We can disagree. Because much of this is about tax policy. It gets taxed, who is not taxed. When we spend dollars four. We should not weapon eyes this. To advance our tax arguments. We should not weapon eyes gender to advance arguments. We should not create gina phobic outlook to advance control. We actually should let the arguments be the arguments and have those robust discussions. Host we have a couple of more questions. The first one is from the question is already we have her people say that under a democratic demonstration that things will go back to normal. Do you worry about our society towards achieving Racial Justice and if so can you elaborate. Derrick i worry but im hopeful on what is possible tomorrow. Going back to normal, may not be the best thing. We need to be normal. We need to be better than normal. Absent prior to the election, the station, we are at inflection point. Whether or not we want to start looking hard to 2032a more just society or whether or not we want to relax back into a a different reality. Think thats where we are a note normal is not good enough. There are too any false barriers. I have a friend whos an administrator in West Virginia and he was shocked, he had never been there before because he can see the face of poverty and it looks like everybody. In the loss of hope can impact anybody. Its our job should be how do we address the face of poverty. How do we increase hope. So that we dont have this type of concern in the local communities whether they be urban or rural or people turn to Substance Abuse a sing right now. The Opioid Crisis as opposed to know that they can add value to society. There is a run for them. Theyre not in competition with her neighbor. With an 800 neighbor lives next door to them or of a different gender or race, that well have a role to play. I think that is what we should be working towards. Host we have another question for Marty Johnson who asks, how an activist in georgia helped her efforts in tracking back to the polls in the battleground states in this election cycle. Derrick i think hes done a phenomenal job. The drop she did was prior to safety work outside of georgia. In his come along ways. But it wasnt stacy. I think stacy and naacp were all part of the same brightness of one of the things we try to do is an organizations new away from that mentality that is this person or that person but it is all of us and he gives us all of us an opportunity to really do john lewis did. It was an ordinary person who did extraordinary things. We all have the capacity so as we look towards a collective approach to make society better, thats recognized filial have that ability. It. Host so covid19 cases arising throughout this country. In the death rate has risen as well. Can you talk about how covid19 has Racial Disparities in structural bias against black communities. And what has the naacp helped to alleviate the treatment in healthcare. Derrick i think just exposed and the disparity and access to healthcare. Because this was pre covid19. We already recognized it. There was a big difference on Life Expectancy and health. A lot was imprisoned there. Anyway what covid19 dudes simply expose it. Just like Hurricane Katrina. When he hit new orleans, Hurricane Katrina wasnt a problem but exposed the problems that already existed. So this is our opportunity to begin dress the Underlying Health issues for any going back to the example i gave earlier about a child born in the particular zip code. That is the same when it comes to help read the zip code determines whether or not you have access to quality in health the fresh food. And whether or not the quality of the air that youre breathing or the materials and structures that you live in our harmful. And we have seen for any individuals, black americans specifically the people born in poverty that there are at higher rates of asthma and hypertension and other elements. In all of those things are based on the environment that you grow up in. Having a healthy and fresh diet could go a long way in being able to combat the unfortunate virus because your immune system is equipped. It will be seen across the countries of case. So some with preexisting Health Issues are not only susceptible to contracting covid19 but partially dying from it. Host we released a statement after amy coney barrett, you condemned it. Can you expand on that appointment and what is naacp envision for the future going forward. Derrick a couple of things. Lets start with how her nomination came to be. The concept of political norms have completely gone out the door. There is always an arm that when you are approaching an election coming would not nominate somebody to sit in the highest court in the land. That is what happened with others. They shifted thats norm. When you look at some of her writings and prior decisions. It is questionable whether or not some of the bedrock of the issues would stand it. Weve had several individuals appointed thats into could not even acknowledge the brown versus the board of education was properly decided. That is the bedrock of addressing Racial Disparities. Host and education. Suet and society because brown versus board of education, it was education case but the principles of brown apply to everything. When you look at her particular writings. When the use of the nword was done and she kind of just brush it to the side. And it was the main issue. And i was concerned with the level of the taxing of the court of the taxes of the last four years. I wonder whether or not what the current judges, with a Lifetime Appointments through and began to see dramatic turn and what we expect. The Court Hearing that is forthcoming, around the Affordable Care sector and what is a mean in terms of so any millions of people regardless of race. To access the healthcare. In the midst of a pandemic, covid19 was a preexisting condition and now, with access to help. Be unobtainable for individuals because they contracted a virus that was completely preventable because of Public Policy in this administration refused to acknowledge it and dismissed it. Like this domino effect. It is concerning. Host in question here from an anonymous antennae. The question is, as you know any countries have mandatory voting and popular vote. Can talk about mandatory voting and popular vote in the u. S. How mandatory voting and popular would impacted the shift in and naacp. And withstand on hr 40. Derrick will we absolutely supported organizations weather is compulsory voting party we look at my cost really were 96 percent of the publishing for spring training you look at this country, 50 percent of our population, that is a high turnout. In canada 92 percent of the citizens actually for display. In germany is run 93 percent. In order to have a rep. Government coming but people need to be engaged party and i think the voting is a place where you can engage. And secondly, we can address our administration of her election system. To make sure that we have populations that are a week equal number amount of polling places. And base of the population each one of the polling places, we have the necessary number of machines. So that we cut down on the proportionality of access to voting is equal across the board. Actual voting machines. For scannable paper ballots brightest of the convenience of it to cant would you have the ability to do an audit hard recounts. Have the paper verification right there. And we dont know how this virus actually is contracted to. Do remove the concern of future concern of any other virus. Those things, could take the partisanship house have pushed should be the administration of our democracy. How does it carry out our election. Peninsulas equal transparent, it is the same across the board. Everyone has provided the same devices to really participate as citizens. We cannot count our democracy globally if we do not practice it domestically. Host should be all be required to vote. It. Derrick not necessarily required. It because of religious objections or whatever. I want to exempt out. But we need to do it differently than what we currently are doing it. It is far too much money in advertising so the people can go vote when it should be a duty, and responsibility, and obligation of every citizen to participate. We are hundreds of this government. We are not victims of its produce should be our ownership to acquire as citizens to fully engage. Free of any barrier. So if you look at the models in those countries, i dont think any people see it as a requirement. They have an obligation is like cutting the grass at your house or making sure that you fix the cracks in the window. It is part of your ownership obligation. Host then another from another anonymous attendee. Derrick hr 40. I think its really important for with taking that position since the 70s when black members in it up weve always been in support of the study for recreation naacp. Look im sorry. Host no worries. Do you think to defend the policeman but is having a man during the movement for Racial Justice. Derrick i think the messaging is off. I dont know if anyone african said that we dont want Police Agencies. Everybody wants to be able to pick up the phone and be able to call the Police Agencies there is a need. I think what really is underscoring all of that conversation is the over funding of Police Agencies in the defining more unfunny of essential services such as Mental Health professions rated social workers. No one should have to call the police for someone who is having a Mental Health break. Because police are not trained to address someone who has come the need to be agencies this calls for lease agencies bring over tasked with responsibilities and throughout training to carry out. And we really begin to see an acceleration of the defending of the essential agencies. In 1980, particularly federal funding programs, and they accelerated throughout the agencies. We need more programs for young people to engage in and to have extra curriculum. We could almost help based on the community and the tax base, how i read programs are and how individuals have alternatives whether it is Senior Citizens or their well staffed and equipped our Youth Programs and summer programs. And social workers outlets rated and it takes the pressure off of the Police Agencies. That should be extended to. What we have seen, in relation to the local police and not enough training and in any cases not paid a good way to the top of that. And not enough alternative programs to support the health of the community. Host we have one more question also from an anonymous attending print how can we help stop the pond with black leaders in government. Kit are the steps of the private sector can take to provide opportunities necessary skills. Derrick i need this question a lot. Triedandtrue programs with focus and investments. Anytime you have your supply chain, a gap, you go out and you identify how can i add to the supply chain. Especially the people. You truly want to recruit individuals who can perform well where they are. It is not Rocket Science here. Whether it is the traditional study about historical what colleges are whether the majority of schools with organizations that recognize just go to where people are. It is not Rocket Science. For me, that also indicates there were, when the companies have been asking that question, the really good smart companies. My question is, are you serious about this. There is good talking point. Because if youre serious, there are so any proven mechanisms to qualify well capable individuals out there. There is no one way because every company is different. So if you need a certain accountable, go to where they are. Host another question i have is currently there are 5. 2 million americans may disenfranchise due to laws restricting the rights to vote at a felony level crime. The africanamericans voting franchise and the race to be as high as more than one in seven inky election background states like virginia. And also florida. How is the naacp working under the voting act. Derrick is actually two questions. One is those who are incarcerated. We fully support one individual completed their debt to society, they should be able to participate is an since and. Because they have completed their debt to society. In some portions of this is state law driven. So its how we have been responding to it all depends on the particular state. And so in florida where for one support of the one programs that were successfully gave 1. 2 returning citizens the opportunity to fully participate in their citizenship. The federal crime broke as one. Thats smart percentages of the whole. And regarding the Voting Rights act, the reauthorization of section 405 of the Voting Rights act. We believe that the Supreme Court made a bad decision because there were indications there to support the preclearance provision. But i think we should go beyond just the Voting Rights act. For the place and time with his nation that if we open up access to voting, and stop having elections wendy a week on the work day actually have a runway for early voting. These are things that ive talked about in terms of proportionality that every county based on the population counts. They have number of precinct available. And then a minimal number of machines required so you reduce long lines you dont have these long lines and more machines in the lines. So you have a standard that is federal in scope and you have to apply locally. It would do so much and addressing the any of these things that we see under the Voting Rights act. If we go towards a compulsory voting system, it will move us away from the vote suppression tactics because we all have the responsibility because were owners of this government who are citizenships and through the. On her father. If you drive through a community where workers go to work every day who are not paid the livable wage. Do not sitting by looking for handouts. These are individuals to work in a very industries that we now understand are essential whether Public Transit workers or in a grocery store. When the food chain. With their underpainting. Learned valued. So there also owners and governments we need to lower the various so that they can participate with their voices. Because there needing to be represented. Host s or almost running out of time here. But i was wondering if the big picture were facing a new administration. What is your dream for, we talked about how how we will have a divided congress it is hard get things done that way. But like if it if we were on the same page about changes we need to make in the country. What would that administration look like to you. Derrick it would be recognizing that as a nation we have much more offer than weve allowed ourselves to receive. What we have to offer comes from so any communities including african communities. Level the Playing Field and identifying historical structural barriers. We need to address them. They have to be done through legislation. Public policy racism in this nation is not about individual behavior, is it about Public Policy. With also recognize that we addresses public policies, would happen everywhere. Anytime theres destruction in the streets, or destruction on our economy because of racial behavior, we should all save we need to pause and say wait a minute, should we be more inclusive. Workers, pay them a livable wage. We need to make sure that our workers are paid a livable wage so that we can help our economy grow. We can assure whether it is a white child or in kentucky or virginia or a black child in the urban core doors of chicago or detroit that they have access to quality education that is affordable to all children. And they live the highest zip code in this country. So that we can get the best talent to ensure that our companies are ran well so that our country is ran well. We have an opportunity to do better. This administration is the first step to get there. Host thank you derek for your time and your leadership and providing your insight and we know the great work youve done. Including meeting with any of our National Leaders who come to us. Interesting thanks you for leading the conversation today. I just wanted to point out a couple of things we do have congressman james on november 18th. We look forward to that. He is minority and also pivotal figure in this election. We also have a new report out on the future of diplomacy, redefining diplomacy available on website. So we thank you all for joining us today. And thank you derek and teresa for your time we appreciate the focus on this issue which is critical to our future. Thank you. He spans washington journal everyday we take your calls live on the earth, news of the day. And on policy issues that impact you. Coming up on wednesday morning, washington liberal reporter host will join us to talk about the latest developments of the first election standoff between the Trump Administration and the biden campaign. And then on veterans day, they a chain of military will talk about issues affecting veterans. The follows from defense secretaries. Live at seven eastern on wednesday mornings. And be sure to join us with your phone calls, Facebook Comments text and tweets. Wednesday is veterans day, President Donald Trump will lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington National cemetery. Beginning at 11 00 a. M. On cspan, online at cspan. Org it was life that cspan radio app. Much American History tv in prime time on veterans day starting in 8 00 p. M. Eastern. Military historian Patrick Odonnell on his book, the unknowns. The untold story of americans unknown soldiers in world war i most decorated heroes who brought him home. And into real american films, and im p. M. Eastern, 1997 film, africanamericans in world war ii, legacy of patriotism and balance. And 11 20 p. M. Eastern, 1945 down, the army nurse. Much American History tv, wednesday, veterans day starting at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan three. Up next a review of the fbis investigation into alleged ties between russia and the 2016 top president ial campaign. The followed by Senate Republicans and Senate Democrats talking about the legislative agenda earlier today with reporters. The Senate Judiciary committee continued its review of the fbis russia probe. By hearing testimony from former activity fbi director andrew mccabe. Was asked about the origins of the investigation, the fisa application process and other actions that were taken by the fbi. Mr. Mccabe also briefly served as acting fbi director in 2017. James, he