Our Corporate (Shared) Responsibility for Justice
A month ago I led a panel at a conference on the issue of Corporate Responsibility for Justice. 10 minutes before the session I learned that one of my former coworkers, and friend, had just passed from COVID. While speaking I couldn’t hold back the emotions of learning of Victor's loss, so I wept for him and the three other Black and Brown loved ones I had lost IN THAT WEEK ALONE. I then talked about what our shared responsibility for Justice means to protect the lives and well being of the ones we love.
Needless to say, the loss of Black and Brown lives has been weighing deeply on my mind. This morning at 3am I sat up feeling worried, saddened, angered, confused, hopeful yet hopeless about all that has been happening in this country. While at that moment I was particularly nervous about what was happening in East Flatbush, Brooklyn where my mother spent the night with my 92-year old grandmother because they could hear police and protesters clash right outside of her house.
I worried about my family’s safety and the safety of my friends who joined in the marches to speak out against injustice and those who have been hurt by police. I worried about my mom’s friends in the NYPD, where she’s worked for 30+ years; the officers I got to know growing up when visiting her at the 67 precinct; and the officers I know who've been on the front lines these past few days. Even more though, I worried about the future and safety of my 2-year old daughter and the senseless challenges that my black son who will be entering this world in September will face throughout his life, just like I have. What will the future of this country look like if we don’t work to reshape it.
For those of you who are wrestling with what to do in this moment, I ask that you think deeply about your corporate (shared) responsibility for justice. Please consult the resources I’ve listed below. And please reach out to me if you want to speak about ways that you can support Black and Brown communities.
ENDURE for what's right; WORK to fix the system; don't be SILENT about issues of concern to, and that which concern, you; and STAND with me.
Resources:
Building an Equitable Economy - https://www.policylink.org/resources-tools/build-equitable-economy
Ways Companies Can Hire, Support, and Hold Onto Black Workers - https://justcapital.com/news/ways-companies-can-hire-support-and-hold-onto-black-workers/
How to use Your Corporate Platform - https://tpinsights.com/2020/05/31/twilio-box-spotify-and-other-tech-ceos-speak-out-against-racism-and-police-brutality-others-stay-silent/
Understanding Systemic Racism - https://www.raceforward.org/videos/systemic-racism
Addressing Mental Health Needs in Communities of Color -https://www.rwjf.org/en/blog/2020/05/caring-for-mental-health-in-communities-of-color-during-covid-19.html
Supporting Protestors on the Front Lines - https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/