Publishing Unsubstantiated Personal Critiques on the Removal of a Cabinet Member is Harmful
The media is ignoring the #JusticeForMedlock movement. We are actively outreaching many media outlets in Colorado, and they seemingly refuse to cover the side of the story that challenges those with power.
State of Reform published a comment from the chair of the Colorado House Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee, Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D – Aurora) about the departure of BHA Commissioner Morgan Medlock. State of Reform was directly emailed two press releases from our media team.
In the article, Rep. Michaelson Jenet stated:
“Unfortunately, I think the outcome was what is best for the Behavioral Health Administration,” and continued with, “There [reportedly] were some leadership tensions that really needed to be ironed out so that the [BHA] can forward and can achieve its goals. Is it a little behind on the timeline? Yes, and we’re finding out it’s a little bit more behind on the timeline than we thought it was. But it will get implemented and services will be received by our community.”
The Justice for Medlock movement is expressly sharing our article, A Lack of Listening and Empathy is a Form of Oppression, with Rep. Michaelson Jenet, including research and evidence about this behavior.
Here is an excerpt from that article:
Dr. Medlock's success as a Black community leader was evident during her tenure as Commissioner, but despite this, she was unjustly removed from her position without cause. Studies have shown that Black women in leadership positions are often subjected to additional scrutiny, performance double standards, and higher expectations than their white counterparts.
The movement also published three relevant blogs about Dr. Medlock’s impressive performance since the launch of the BHA because our support is grounded in the truth:
Dr. Medlock’s Significant Progress Transforming Colorado's Behavioral Health System
5 Key Takeaways from the BHA’s Implementation and Monitoring Dashboard & Dr. Medlock’s Impact
Dr. Medlock’s Vision for the BHA as Laid Out in the Strategic Plan
The movement has also compiled key takeaways from HB-1278, the legislation forming the BHA, and how Dr. Medlock was brilliantly able to connect and align reform implementation and the strategic plan, Dr. Medlock’s Visionary Leadership Aligned the BHA Strategic Plan and HB22-1278, with the statutory requirements while innovatively and authentically centering equity, anti-racism and lived experience.
In our analysis of the BHA's progress reporting, implementation dashboard, and strategic plan we have not found any instances of delayed timelines. We also included Dr. Medlock’s public engagements, press coverage, and statewide tour activities in our information gathering.
We did find the BHA's current leadership delayed timelines as their first act after Dr. Medlock’s dismissal. It is noticeable that “behind on the timelines” is a reason cited for Dr. Medlock's removal but isn’t the same standard for also holding the new, white-identifying leadership accountable.
We are alarmed by this attempt to single out Dr. Medlock while many members of the BHA’s leadership remain in their positions and were aware of and involved with these timelines. Yet critics like Rep. Michaelson Jenet center their criticism on Dr. Medlock. We believe it is harmful for large publications like State of Reform to publish unsubstantiated personal critiques on the removal of a cabinet member and we encourage the outlet to provide research, deliver an apology, or print a retraction.
Sign the Petition to Reinstate Dr. Medlock
On Monday, April 17, 2023, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) Commissioner, Morgan Medlock, MD, MDiv, MPH, a Black community leader, was unjustly removed from her Colorado cabinet position without cause. Her removal risks the lives of millions of people in Colorado who deserve accessible, trauma-informed, and culturally-responsive behavioral health care. It also perpetuates the message that strong, qualified Women of Color are vulnerable to the whims of political systems and cabinet leadership.
Demand justice for Dr. Medlock by signing the petition for Governor Polis to bring her back as the Commissioner of the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA).