June 01, 2020
The events of the last two weeks – the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis by police, Amy Cooper’s deliberate false accusations and threats against a black bird watcher in New York’s Central Park, and the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, a black jogger in Georgia – serve as evidence that we are a long way away from an equal and just society for all. These events underscore that racism and white privilege continue to dehumanize and devalue people of color. For the MetroWest Health Foundation, they also serve to embolden us to continue our efforts to address inequities and disparities in all that we do.
The violence we have seen erupt across the country is a result of the frustration and anger that so many feel, but violence is never the answer. Rather, the answer lies in speaking out against racism – how it has evolved, how it has become institutionalized across large segments of our society and what can be done to break the cycle of hate and bigotry.
That conversation needs to start in every household, and there is no better time than during this “stay-at-home” quarantine period to talk as a family about race and racism. Talk to your kids. Make sure they understand what is being protested in cities across the country and why. Honest discussions about race and racism are not easy conversations to have, so here are some resources to aid in those discussions:
https://www.embracerace.org/resources/teaching-and-talking-to-kids
The events we have seen in the last two weeks will only continue unless we all stand up for equity and justice. Be a part of that movement.
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