Here & Now

What Racial Justice Movement Looks Like in Central Wisconsin

Frederica Freyberg:

In recent weeks, protesters in cities large and small across Wisconsin have been rallying for police reform following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police. Darrell Keaton is seen as a leader among his peers in the Wausau community and has been advocating change during demonstrations. He joins us this week with his perspectives on the racial justice movement in central Wisconsin. Mr. Keaton, thanks very much for being here.

Darrell Keaton:

Yes. Thank you for having me.

Frederica Freyberg:

So you founded an organization in 2011 there in Wausau. Tell me about that and why you started it.

Darrell Keaton:

So I developed the program to work with at-risk youth. We wanted to catch the youth before entering junior high or high school. And we wanted to work with them through the school education board to identify kids who were struggling with attention deficits, behavior issues, et cetera. And when that situation took place with George Floyd, it just woke something in me. And I knew then that I needed to act and I needed to act swiftly in my community, because I don’t want something like that to happen here in my community in Marathon County.

Frederica Freyberg:

And so when you say you needed to act and you needed to act swiftly, what did you do?

Darrell Keaton:

Well, the first thing I did was I reached out with some of the other members in the community that I worked alongside in the past, and I went out, myself and my two granddaughters, and we did a peaceful protest. And after me and my granddaughters went out and did a peaceful protest, it sparked a movement. The next day we had over 300 people come out and join us. I just don’t want to see something like that happen here in Marathon County. And so if you jump out in front of it before it comes to your doorstep, then you can, you know, work with your law enforcement and make sure that we can bridge that gap between the African-American community here and law enforcement. And we’re working hard since this to bridge that gap. And I can proudly say that myself, with my mayor and my chief of police, we have really been working together on some things to kind of help bridge that gap. I can say that we will officially next year will celebrate Juneteenth in the city of Wausau, which has never happened in the history of this community. So I just think that having something here for the black community will continue to bring positives for our community.

Frederica Freyberg:

It’s so cool that you were able to tell us that Wausau is going to be celebrating Juneteenth next year.

Darrell Keaton:

Yeah. It is. It is. I meet with my mayor and I’ve been in constant contact with the chief and we think that that would be a really good start as far as —

Frederica Freyberg:

Yeah.

Darrell Keaton:

— bridging that gap and to celebrate Juneteenth here and have it, you know, on the 400 block. Because we want all people to come together. We don’t want it to just be about, you know, one race of people. We want all people to come together. And we want the black community to feel like there’s something here for them. And so I work hard to try to make sure that we can bridge that gap. And I will continue to fight for the people of Wausau, Wisconsin. This is my home.

Frederica Freyberg:

You have said that taking part in demonstrations or vigils or marches, it now seems to you as though white people are listening and joining in. How important is it to you that that happens?

Darrell Keaton:

It’s very important. I’ve said all along that we as a people, as the black community, we cannot tackle this systemic racism that has plagued our country for 400 plus years. We cannot do this alone. We have to have good white people to stand with us to defeat racism in this country. And you have to start with the head of this systemic racism in our country. And I feel that starts at the top, which is our government. And if we can start there and trickle down to the middle class and the lower class, then maybe we can make greater changes in this community, and in America.

Frederica Freyberg:

What kind of dialogue have you seen happening on matters of race that might not have been happening before the killing of George Floyd and demonstrations over that?

Darrell Keaton:

Changes are occurring every day. I just — like I said before, I feel that this time it’s different. It feels different. And I do believe that we as a community, as a whole, if we continue to stand together, hate cannot defeat love.

Frederica Freyberg:

Do you expect protests and demonstrations to continue in your part of the state?

Darrell Keaton:

No, I don’t. I think at this point things are going according to how they should, and I think if they continue on the path that they are, I do believe that we’ll be okay.

Frederica Freyberg:

So you feel as though the lines of communication are open and —

Darrell Keaton:

Yes.

Frederica Freyberg:

— white people, as you said, are listening.

Darrell Keaton:

Yes.

Frederica Freyberg:

And you in fact have been able to already make some tangible change, and so you see more of that coming?

Darrell Keaton:

Correct. Yes. I do.

Frederica Freyberg:

All right. We leave it there. We really appreciate you checking in with us and telling us about the things that are happening in central Wisconsin. Darrell Keaton, thanks again.

Darrell Keaton:

Thank you for having me. You have a blessed day.