Here’s how Kansas City’s policies are shaping race, justice, and equity
Editorial columnist Toriano Porter highlights pivotal moments that have defined Kansas City's approach to race and economic opportunity.
Recent policy shifts, like Kansas City's decision to ban discrimination against formerly incarcerated people, mark a significant step toward greater equity.
Porter also points to times when policy has fallen short, such as the insufficient response to racist incidents at local schools and the need for reparations for families displaced from the Neck neighborhood in Independence.
He commends bold actions, including students in Shawnee Mission pushing for tougher penalties against racial slurs and Jackson County electing its first Black female prosecutor, Melesa Johnson. Through these events, Porter urges Kansas City to match its promises of justice with substantive action.
NO. 1: ‘STUPID N****R’: KC-AREA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL STUDENT USED RACIAL SLUR. LEADERS MUST ACT | OPINION
In videos circulating in social media, a white Summit Christian Academy girl laughs as she uses the ugly term, at least once while on campus. From Toriano Porter: | Published May 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter
NO. 2: BLACK INDEPENDENCE FAMILIES DISPLACED IN THE 1960S DESERVE MORE THAN STONE MARKERS | OPINION
It’s great that The Neck neighborhood is being commemorated with new monuments. But its former residents suffered financially when their homes were razed. From Toriano Porter: | Published June 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter
NO. 3: RACIAL SLURS HURT OUR CHILDREN. KUDOS TO SHAWNEE MISSION SCHOOLS FOR TAKING A STAND | OPINION
Hate speech can all too easily spill over into violence, as it did when a white boy repeatedly called a Black girl the n-word at SM East last winter. From Toriano Porter: | Published July 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter
NO. 4: KCPD MUST COMPENSATE FAMILY OF UNARMED MAN KILLED BY EX-POLICE DET. DEVALKENAERE | OPINION
Former Kansas City Police Det. Eric DeValkenaere’s qualified immunity claim rejected, opening the door for $10 million in civil lawsuit. From Toriano Porter: | Published September 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter
NO. 5: FIRST JACKSON COUNTY AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE PROSECUTOR EMPHASIZES HER DEEP KC ROOTS | OPINION
Jackson County elects Melesa Johnson, who promises to prioritize community safety. It’s a welcome change. From Toriano Porter: | Published November 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter
NO. 6: SHOULDN’T A TEEN RELEASED FOR A CRIME HE DIDN’T DO GET ATTENTION FROM CITY OFFICIALS? | OPINION
Kansas City officials rightly decried the death of restaurateur Shaun Brady, but are silent about a young man wrongfully arrested. From Toriano Porter: | Published December 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter
NO. 7: KANSAS CITY LAW WILL PROTECT FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE FROM DISCRIMINATION | OPINION
Ordinance aims to prevent job and housing discrimination against people with criminal history. From Toriano Porter: | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter
NO. 8: KS MAN GRANTED CLEMENCY BY GOV. KELLY IS CHIEFS FAN AND HAS TICKETS TO AFC TITLE GAME | OPINION
Deshaun Durham, a lifelong Kansas City fan, will also attend the playoff game against Houston at Arrowhead Stadium. From Toriano Porter | Published January 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter
NO. 9: KEHOE BANS DEI, CLAIMING TO ENSURE FAIRNESS. IT REALLY PERPETUATES DISCRIMINATION | OPINION
Missouri NAACP president Nimrod Chapel criticized the new governor’s order as rooted in anti-Blackness and harmful to minorities. From Toriano Porter | Published February 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.