RALEIGH, N.C.  Democrats say they want to “heal the soul of America.” As the 2020 Democratic National Convention gets set to wrap up, the party platform agreed to by the members says that Black lives matter, and that today there are inequities in our society from structural racism to misogyny to discrimination.

 

One Raleigh man has been advocating for social justice most of his life. Kendall Harris grew up in Oberlin Village – a community he says has changed dramatically.

“So the community has changed,” Harris says. “I would say back then it could have been 70 to 30 (percent) Black – 70-30. I guarantee now it has switched from 80 to 20 whites. But that is part of red-lining and understand what red-lining is.”

These days, homes there now are owned, not rented. In addition, the price tags for those homes continue to climb.

Inequities in housing opportunities have existed for decades.

One study from the National Bureau of Economic Research shows that Hispanic and Black homebuyers face much higher home mortgage costs. It's inequities like this that Democrats say they want to tackle.

As part of the platform, the party it states:

“Democrats recognize that racial wealth gaps are rooted in longstanding discrimination and unjust policies. We will equalize established pathways for building wealth while exploring innovative approaches to closing racial wealth gaps.”

“And let’s be clear — there is no vaccine for racism,” Kamala Harris said in her acceptance speech for the vice presidential nomination Wednesday night. “We’ve gotta do the work.”

Harris, who is the first woman of color on a presidential ticket, pointed out the inequities in society from healthcare to criminal justice.

“This is not a coincidence. It is the effect of structural racism,” Harris said. “Of inequities in education and technology, healthcare and housing, job security, and transportation. The injustice in reproductive and maternal health care. In the excessive use of force by police. And in our broader criminal justice system.”

For Kendall Harris, he says fighting for equity is a long road. And not one that can be easily achieved.

“I don't think racism will ever end. I think you've got to be educated about it,” Harris says.