Dear Colleagues,
Today is one of reflection as we watch a nation at war defending its democracy and way of life, and at home, we take a crucial step toward racial equity and true representation.
Yesterday, Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including launching missile strikes on cities with civilian casualties and ending a period of general peace across Europe. At a time when the world is still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, the images of war bring us all feelings of sadness, anxiety, and trauma.
This morning, President Biden announced his nomination to fill Justice Stephen Breyer's seat on the United States Supreme Court: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Judge Jackson, if confirmed, will become the first Black woman on the highest court in the United States. In a statement, President Biden praised Judge Jackson as "impeccably qualified." Receiving her law degree from Harvard Law School, Judge Jackson has served as a federal appellate judge, a federal district court judge, a member of the US Sentencing Commission, an attorney in private practice, and a federal public defender. Judge Jackson also clerked for Justice Breyer on the Supreme Court.
This is truly Black history and collective Black future.
Coming on the heels of Vice President Kamala Harris, who in November of 2020 became the first Woman Vice President, Black Vice President, & Indian Vice President, the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson highlights the importance of representation at every level of government. As we all know, the justice system has been plagued by systemic and structural racism. To create system change and break cycles of discrimination and oppression, we must invest in underrepresented communities and lift up Black achievements and contributions that for too long have been ignored.
The same can be said of our health care system. As we think about the challenges to the behavioral health workforce, it's critical we use a lens of representation and equity. In this country, behavioral health has been stigmatized and outright criminalized. If we want to create a system of inclusion and care, that system must represent the communities we want to positively affect because we need community buy-in to create actual change. And community buy-in comes from within.
As you reflect today, over the weekend, and in the coming weeks, please know that CBHA is here as a partner and resource. CBHA stands with all those affected by the violence in Ukraine, and while today is a victory for race and social equity in the United States, we know the work is far from done.
In Service,