Last month we witnessed egregious acts of racism and hate . We are horrified, saddened, and dispirited by the vitriol and violence displayed by extremists in Charlottesville, but we are not surprised. Racism lurks insidiously in every corner of our country, and when fomented and given legitimacy through the rhetoric and policies promoted by some of our leaders, it comes out of the shadows.  We must stare this ugliness in the face and adamantly affirm that this is not the country we want to live in nor strive to be.

We stand with all those who raise their voices in protest against racism, injustice, and bigotry. We stand with the Dreamers who came to this country as children and are working hard, as our own immigrant parents did, for the right to be called Americans. We stand with the people of Houston, Puerto Rico, and Florida, who, amid devastation, are showing one another acts of courage and love that know no ideology, no skin color, no documentation. Let's be that country.

 

The arc of justice doesn't bend on its own, it takes the dedication, courage and unbowed persistence of all of us. Many feel that we are at a low point in our country, but we can use this moment to get up, get out, and do something. YWCA's mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people compels us to challenge personal and systemic racism. Please join us as we work together to create a more just and equitable community for all.