ROCHESTER, Minn. - A local organization, Love Music Hate Racism, held an event to address racism in Rochester.
The event stemmed from a recent finding by 24/7 Wall Street ranking Minnesota as the second-worst state in the U.S. for racial inequality.
A panel of local activists spoke about their experience with racism and did a Q&A with guests.
The event also discussed racism in the economy, education, and incarceration.
Tameka Coleman is a local activist and speaker of the panel.
She said conversation is the first step to addressing the problem.
"If uncle Chadly and aunt Becky say something racist, rock the boat. Don't sit there and let them dehumanize people. Don't value comfort over justice," Coleman said.
She also emphasized, this is only the first step. Racism doesn't go away overnight.
"People think that racism is like an appendix, right? I got my racism removed in 1987 what are you talking about? It's not. It's like plaque. You got to go at it every day," she said.