In Memory of George Floyd
The CFCS community shares the collective anger, pain and frustration that people around the globe have felt in reaction to the brutal and senseless killing of Mr. George Floyd. Our anger is heightened by the realization that Mr. Floyd’s murder is only the most recent highly publicized killing of a black person at the hands of law enforcement. We also recognize that this form of injustice has, for far too long, been an endemic part of the African American experience. It is past time for it to end.
We are truly living in extraordinary times. We are confronted with two unprecedented challenges, which in turn present the opportunity to change the lives – for the better – of future generations. The coronavirus pandemic and the threat that racism presents to our existence as a just society affect every community in this country and every single one of us. How each of us responds will determine the future for us, our children and their children.
And for each of these challenges, we must ask ourselves: “What can we do about it”? “What will I do about it”?
We all now know what we need to do to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Wearing a mask, washing our hands and social distancing are the critical steps to protecting ourselves from infection. And cutting-edge scientific research will lead to vaccines and a cure.
Just as importantly, we need to work together to identify, root out and destroy the virus of racism. And rather than be socially distant, as we’ve done to defeat the coronavirus, we need to come together as a community; to learn about this disease of racial hatred and deep-seated racial injustice, how it spreads, how we can test for it; and administer the vaccine to eradicate it.
We should be reminded of lessons from the past. Fifty years ago the National Advisory Committee on Civil Disorders informed us that the riots of that time were rooted in poverty and institutional racism, and were driving inner-city violence. They warned that the nation was so divided that the United States was poised to fracture into two radically unequal societies – one black, one white.
Today, I am heartened by what I see taking place in the streets and in Zoom meetings occurring all across this country. I see and hear people from all backgrounds saying, “no more”. I am encouraged by the voices of young people being heard and the leadership they are demonstrating.
At CFCS our mission is rooted in social justice; it is who we are and what we do. In support of the recent peaceful protests we have the opportunity to listen and learn from one another, individually and collectively, and take action. Every voice will be essential to this conversation. In solidarity, we at CFCS recommit to our mission of social justice and will continue to work for real change. We will listen, we will learn, we will collaborate and we will act.
As Robert F. Kennedy told us,
“It is from the numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”