10 BOCNEWS.com JANUARY 2019 "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prosper- eth." — 3 John 2 From time to time, and perhaps too often, we hear of occurrences and situations which make us feel dismayed, angry, disgusted, and outraged. The situation may be an act of senseless violence, a grave act of depravity, an unfathomable act of cruelty and insensitivity and we are left with a feeling and a ques- tion in our mind as to how such a thing could hap- pen. It may involve a person with a mental disorder, or a person who we think should be rational and act differently. It may be a person who we think should have the public trust and confidence. It could just be an unfortunate accident. In this context, usually the result is a grave injury or loss of life. It could be a private citizen, or a member of law enforcement who is irresponsible and we do look for the cause and, for who is responsible. We just shake our heads and at times we speak out or protest. One thought that come to mind is that an injustice has occurred. One term that has come to be used more and more to explain the situations we are taking about is social injustice. What does this term mean? To give a formal definition: Social justice means the fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural law that all persons, irrespec- tive of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc. are to be treated equally and without prejudice. Social injus- tice would be a violation of this definition. We can all imagine incidents that have taken place that could be used to describe social injustice: Infrastructure - when someone has inadequate living conditions to allow them to thrive and live to the fullest. Spiritual - When people are unable to practice their religion in certain countries because it is illegal. Discrimination - When someone is being torment- ed due to their race or their beliefs, or face discrimi- natory prison/jail incarceration Violence - A person who lives with the threat of being attacked or receiving physical harm from another person. Political - When a person or group comes to power and doesn’t give the appropriate rights to the people. Health - Someone suffers physically due to the lack of medical care available for them. Education - When someone or a party are denied education due to any reason such as race or appearance. Despair - When someone doesn’t realize there true mean- ing and value in the world. Environmental - When the community suffers due to the neglect of the environment. Gender Injustice - The abil- ity to not give women or men the rights they deserve. Economic - A person who is denied the opportunity to make money or unfairly paid for the work that they do. One thing we need to be aware of is that inequality can make us sicker. Historical injustices, present-day rac- ism, poverty, bias and inequity, poorer access to health care contributes to disparate out- comes and more sickness. In this setting we will see more heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, kidney failure, HIV infection, chronic illness, and premature death. This should be considered a totally unaccept- able situation. We need to be aware of the fact that social jus- tice must have a health component. It is more than unjust incarceration, police interactions, and community violence. We need to address all of our issues. Remember there are cities and rural area across this nation that need attention. We need to tackle social and health problems. I am not claiming to have all of the answers to our challenges but we need to have a comprehensive approach and that will take the efforts of many people to rise to the occasion. May God bless our efforts. Social Justice and Our Health Dr. Conner By Byron E. Conner, M.D. HEALTH HEALTH One term that has come to be used more and more to explain the situations we are taking about is social injustice. What does this term mean? Aurora is Embracing the Dream My Aurorans, As I prepare for our 33rd Annual week-long Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration, it is in my awareness that our theme “Embracing the Vision, Making it Happen!” is meant for all of us. I’ve considered the words “vision” and “dreams,” and I realize they are used interchangeably. I have heard some say the dream has dimmed; I say the vision is still our shining star. And “Making it happen” is exactly what we’ve been doing in Aurora. It’s what I’ve personally been work- ing toward for over 35 years as an employee of the city of Aurora. I am always proud to share that we are the only city in the nation with a week- long commemoration for 33 years. As you know, the city of Aurora may be third in population in Colorado, but we are first in community/people ini- tiatives; our most important resource. During my time working as the Manager of the city of Aurora Community Relations Division, I have had the opportunity to estab- lish organizations such as Aurora Key Community Response Team, Aurora Community of Faith, International Cross Culture Network of Aurora, and Kaleidoscope Aurora Commission. I’ve been able to serve and staff the Human Relations Commission and the Veterans’ Affairs Commission. I was also the Planner in charge of the North Aurora, Del Mar Park and Hoffman Heights/Jewell Heights Neighborhood Associations. I have fond memories of working in the origi- nal area of Aurora and planting trees along Sixth Avenue and participating in alley cleanups. My regard for this area prompted me to request we name our north library the Martin Luther King Jr. Library. I was also inspired to place a full-size statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at this very library, and I am gratified to say this beautiful statue stands there today. The Community Relations Division connects the city regularly to com- munity boards and committees such as NAACP, Aurora Mental Health, Colorado Black Roundtable, Women for Equitable Pay, Asian Pacific Partnership, CCAMA, Aurora Action Coalition for Community Service, Aurora Warms the Night, Gateway Rotary and the Governor’s Holocaust Remembrance Host Committee. We submit proclamations to honor spe- cial ethnic holidays and community events. We maintain close relationships with Aurora Public Schools and Cherry Creek School District, the 17th and 18th Judicial Districts, our presiding judge, Fire and Police Departments, nonprofit agencies and the faith com- munity. Aurora has never stopped preparing for the inclusive future of our resi- dents. We are leaders in the state and we are called on to share our strate- gies and techniques. I am blessed and highly favored to have had the oppor- tunity to embrace the dream of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in our great city of Aurora. On behalf of the Community Relations Division, Neighborhood Services Department, I still pledge my commitment, skills, connections and wisdom to you, my community and my city of Aurora. Aurora is my city and your city. Aurora is worth discovering. If you haven’t, you better ask somebody. Barbara Shannon-Banister Aurora has never stopped preparing for the inclusive future of our residents. We are leaders in the state and we are called on to share our strategies. By Dr. Barbara Shannon-Banister