The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery in just the past few weeks, coupled with the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color, remind us that while things may be different, little has
changed
for Black people in America.
And
that
has to change
.
Black lives matter. We must stop criminalizing Black people simply for living. We cannot continue to have our Black children punished by the systems that are supposed to support their advancement in life like employment, health care, and education. Our Black children continue to be impacted by white fright, over-policing, mass incarceration, abuse, and death at the hands of law enforcement.
We actively protest against white supremacy culture and the racial injustice it preserves through our mission and work every day. We call for the healing of the traumatic impact of systemic racism through the integration of racial equity, trauma-inclusive care, and restorative justice in all of our youth and adult-facing programs and partnerships.
The pain right now is real and not new for many of us. As a predominantly POC organization, we feel it deeply. Recent events further expose the wounds of systemic racism and the embedded layers of challenge impacting us individually, the young people, and communities to which we are committed. Like so many who are now taking to the streets, our fear, pain, anger, and grief is fueling our determination and persistence to continue to be champions of change.
We need to take care of each other and ensure that the young people of color with whom we work feel heard, seen, and supported in the face of today’s realities. Together, we are more resilient. Together we can heal and continue to provide the young people of color in the City of Boston with opportunities to help us battle systemic racism through healing, growth and leadership.
TBC’s Organizational Equity Practice connects individuals and organizations committed to racial equity to dynamic, holistic, learning opportunities. Next week OEP is offering two workshops for non-profit professionals who are seeking collective support, learning, or specific suggestions on what more we all must do.
