Simple words. A long road.
Many in our country are reeling from the senseless death of George Floyd, an African American man in Minneapolis. On the same day, another African American man was unfairly threatened by a fellow citizen in New York City’s Central Park. Citing these and other similarly tragic recent events, civil rights attorney Ben Crump states, “This is a moment for deep reflection and fundamental change.” He goes on to ask, “And what can we do to correct course?”
The missions of our organizations and the programs, resources, and systems created to support the children and families we serve were born to give voice to marginalized, vulnerable, or victimized members of our communities. A large proportion of those within the populations we serve deal daily with the very real impacts of racial inequity.
We acknowledge the inequity at the center of countless incidents that are statistically more likely to happen to people of color. As leaders of youth-serving organizations, we re-dedicate ourselves to doing our part to correct course for the children and families we serve, as well as for future generations.
We commit to collaborating with one another and partnering with advocates, organizations, and all those who work toward a common pursuit of equity. Together, we aspire to systematically change the inequity in our structures and cultures that contribute to tragedies like the one that took Mr. Floyd’s life.
Our collective endeavor is driven by these words:
There will never be a WE as long as there is a THEY.
Simple words. A long road.
Gerson Martinez
Executive Director, Talbot Mentors
Matthew Peters
Executive Director, ChesMRC
Lauren Weber
Executive Director, Character Counts
Derick Daly
Executive Director, BAAM
Vivian Landau
Executive Director, Mid-Shore Scholars
Robin Davenport
Executive Director, CASA of the Mid-Shore
Dan Watson says
Amen.
kathy Bosin says
Amen is right. Thank you for this.
Ron Jordan says
Aint, no Amen yet, as all of you stand solidarity with each other, one organization that was established to address the inadequate treatment of black boys and girls and expanded to incorporate all children of color on the eastern shore was omitted, the HOYAS. I am a supporter of the HOYAS, I am writing this without their permission or their knowledge. I have lived and run my business here in Kent County, the smallest county in Maryland, the has one the smallest populations for people of color. As major non-profits, supposely standing shoulder to shoulder for our youth of color, their parents as well, you could be so much more inclusive of organizations that are truly on the ground helping the very children that are dealing with the pandemic, their parents unemployment, the historical and systemic racism of the eastern shore. So, instead of patting yourselves on your collective backs, be inclusive of organizations that are actively and personally involved with the communities here on the Upper Shore all the way to Princes Ann.