Black Lives Matter: Renewing our DEIJ Commitment
The Choose Clean Water Coalition joins organizations, families, and communities remembering George Floyd and countless Black lives lost by police violence. For the first time in Minnesota's state history, a white police officer was held accountable for the killing of a Black man. While justice and accountability were met for the murder of George Floyd, egregious attacks on Black and Brown people persist in our country.
These attacks will continue until we as individuals decide to make and push for change. We are committed to addressing ways in which systematic racism shows ups in our organizations and throughout the environment. We must remain vigilant in the fight for equal rights and thriving communities. We will not rest until all communities have equal access to clean water and clean air.
To our Black and Brown colleagues: we hear you, we see you, we are with you. We feel your suffering, sadness, grief, anger, and exhaustion. The time is now to shift from ally to advocate. We as the Choose Clean Water Coalition are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, and there are actions we can all take to move us towards a more just future:
Here Is What You Can Do Today:
Start with yourself. Do your own internal reflection and assessment with an implicit bias test.
While communicating with staff is key, let your Black and Brown colleagues come to you. Provide them with additional resources and support. Offer flexible time off, resources, counseling, etc. Whatever they need.
Provide white staff with anti-racist resources, like this one. You will find a list of books, films, social media accounts, podcasts, and other resources.
Do not place the burden of learning and discussion on Black and Brown staff. Do your homework and your own research to expand your knowledge.
Create and send out a culture audit of your organization.
Do the work. Develop and implement a DEIJ Action Plan.
We hope you find healing, peace, and harmony in nature. Black Lives Matter.