Accountability in Action
Accountability is not just a buzzword; it is an action that plays a pivotal role in shaping the well-being of vibrant individuals and healthy communities! As we know, police accountability, or lack thereof, has been a determining factor in life or death. Accountability itself is the principle that allows us to hold leaders responsible for their actions, decisions and conduct while in these positions of authority. As people of faith advocating for racial, economic and social justice, it is critical that we always hold our leaders accountable, whether this be Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling, the city’s aldermen or other elected officials.
Accountability ensures transparency in leadership, deterring corruption and safeguarding our liberties and livelihood. It fosters informed decision-making, enhances our trust and confidence in leadership and encourages responsiveness to community needs. It promotes inclusion and equality and inspires civic participation, empowering us to actively participate in our community such as marching in anti-racism protests, sitting in at townhalls, lighting candles at prayer vigils, attending mayoral forums and joining in conversation at monthly public meetings for the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA). Accountability can also be a subconscious action, like being a truth teller and debunking misinformation. It passively goes against fearmongering and righteously wards away bullies. Our privilege or legacies differ; however, we are united with the power of influence and through using that leverage, we hold leaders accountable and create positive, impactful change!
A key aspect of accountability is its ability to prevent the abuse of power. Leaders who are subject to scrutiny and accountability mechanisms, including suspensions and disemployment, are less likely to engage in corrupt practices or misuse their authority for personal gain. Accountability acts as a strong deterrent against unethical behavior, keeping leaders on their toes and urging them to commit to agendas that matter to us and uphold our values. It is known that figureheads are less likely to infringe upon the rights of individuals and minority groups when held accountable. They are more willing to adapt to changing circumstances and learn from their mistakes when we call them out. This continuous improvement in governance visibly benefits our communities by ensuring that leadership remains effective and responsive to evolving challenges.
If police officers were held accountable for their brutality, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice and countless others would still be breathing today. The loss of Black and Brown bodies would not be a simple topic on the morning and evening news, discarded and replaced by another tragic story, but instead lives would be cherished and protected.
Children would not go hungry, parents would not struggle to make ends meet and families would have clean drinking water if there were accountability. If leaders were held accountable, labor conditions would improve, healthcare would be accessible and reform of society’s discriminatory structures and systems would be prominent! Workers would have adequate wages, law enforcement would willingly wear body cameras and everyone would have equal opportunities. Our courts would be diverse and fair and those awaiting trial would be innocent until proven guilty rather than the other way around. Poverty would not be inevitable. Beloved Community would be possible.
Knowing that their actions will be closely monitored, leaders are incentivized to seek input from a variety of sources and carefully evaluate the consequences of their choices. Brandon Johnson’s mayoral campaign, for example, was centered on the people of Chicago. Now, as mayor of the city, he invites the public to hearings to show he is considering different perspectives. Accountability provides an avenue for marginalized voices to be heard and leads to thoughtful and effective decision-making. Leaders who are held accountable are responsive to our concerns as constituents as they understand that their positions depend on the support and satisfaction of the communities that they serve, and this responsiveness helps leadership remain connected to the real issues that we face day to day.
Trust is the foundation of any successful community as it brings predictability and stability. Relationships cannot begin or sustain without trust. Accountability not only fosters our trust in leadership, but our confidence as well. After community members recognize that leaders are held accountable for their actions, their confidence in the leadership and the institutions that govern the community grows, in turn, promoting cohesion and cooperation. By holding our leaders accountable, we are able to actively progress toward a better future for all.
Accountability matters and is vital for community welfare and prosperity!
When our community members know that their contributions matter and that leaders are answer to them, they are inspired to participate in community affairs and events that make a difference for those around them (like volunteering at food pantries and donating to back-to-school drives). People will speak up with the presence of accountability! A world where people are not afraid to hold their tongue or do what is morally right is in our grasp.
Community Renewal Society believes that the significance of accountability cannot be overstated. Accountability guides leaders to act fairly and equitably. Without accountability, representation is undermined, and resources and opportunities are not distributed justly among community members. We encourage you to join us in holding elected officials accountable as we work together with our member congregations, coalition partners and community members to create Beloved Community where everyone can thrive.
Here are ways you can get involved in building accountability.
Read our hopes for the new CPD Superintendent.
Take action to ensure successful implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act.
Subscribe to our email updates and follow our Facebook and Instagram for news on accountability.
Disclaimer: This article was written with the help of the ChatGPT language model developed by OpenAI.