“It’s Not a Me Thing, It’s a Community Thing”
AJA MONIQUE SALINAS-THE SPOTLIGHT EDITOR
Founder of Right and Wrong (RAW), Antonio Clark, has dedicated his heart and soul for a movement that has led Mesa County to face tough questions, which has only been the start towards a better community.
Those who had their lives and voices stolen from them, have been heard through leaders like Clark, who has based his work on uniting the community, and inspiring change. With the murders of innocent black men and women, re-lived through the accounts of George Floyd, Clark could no longer stay quiet. Being a natural born leader: driven and passionate, his goal was to not inspire only words or ideas, but also actions.
“I’m not trying to just make noise, but actually effect change, and the greatest way to do that is by holding our elected officials accountable” Said Clark.
By maintaining working relationships with city council members, county commissioners, and staying on top of legislative policies that affect the daily lives of those within the community, Clark has been successful in making the cry for justice and equality heard, but there is still more work to be done. In every form, Clark has been involved in making sure the best interest of minorities has been a priority for those in charge.
With systematic racism always having been around but present in different forms, Clark is proud of any progress. It will take a while to fix the damage done from generations of racism and injustices tolerated and accepted within the United States, but there is hope for the future, and for generations to come.
“With Mesa being central and hub to thinking minds, I’m focused on trying to change the youth rather than trying to talk racist people out of being racist. It’s just counter productive” said Clark.
Even while trying to make a positive change within the Grand Valley, Clark has faced backlash from those who disagree with the message behind RAW.
“The whole point of RAW is it’s not a me thing, it’s a community thing. We’re trying to better the community by uniting it to fight for the community as a whole, and keeping this conversation going” said Clark.
In an attempt to spread peace and move forward, Clark has also been active in Mesa Counties Kindness Initiative, where leader Jim Hale visits elementary schools to teach children important and necessary lessons on kindness. Clark hopes that in the future, he can join Captain Kindness with his own version of the superhero. A version that children of color can look up to and have as a positive figure in their education and lives.
“You have more things in common than you have against each other, there’s no reason why you can’t be kind to every person,” said Clark.
With bigger dreams for the community, Clark’s work is not finished yet. He hopes to eventually create his own podcast which would allow anyone within the community to have an outlet where their voices are heard and taken seriously. Not only as a leader among those he stands for, he has stood up before leaders, representing a people wronged by systems that oppress and overpower people of color. Clark represents change, he represents a future of people taught right from wrong, and it is the start of a generation untaught by hate or fear, but rather taught by unity, peace, and justice.
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