A Message from Our President
We are living through a deeply painful, challenging and difficult period in history. That pain is being particularly felt by communities of color and especially by the African-American community.
Over the last few months, we have seen this play itself out during the COVID crisis in so many ways. To date, over 115,000 people in the United States have died from COVID, and communities of color have disproportionately suffered both the negative health and economic impacts.
And now the death of George Floyd. We have been here too often and too recently.
Fairness and equality are rooted deeply in our values as an institution. We respect and value difference and the strength it brings to our industry and our community. We must make certain that the opportunity to live a free, just and secure life exists for everyone.
In this moment, in the loudest voice possible, I am asking every member of our real estate community to listen with openness, vulnerability, empathy and understanding to those who are angry. I urge us to ask ourselves the difficult questions: What are we doing to condemn prejudice and promote inclusion? What are we doing to make sure our past is not our future? And I implore us to recognize we have work left to do. As a community of professionals working and living through extraordinarily challenging times, we must actively work for real change.
The Monterey County Association of Realtors remains committed to supporting the dignity and worth of all people and will continue to work diligently to defend policies that bring justice and security for all individuals.
Suzanne Menendez-Herbst, MCAR President
