Like you, we are closely monitoring developments across the country in response to the horrific killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which is part of a string of recent instances of violence aimed at Black people. It is a lot to take in, particularly in the midst of a global pandemic that has required us to "shelter in place" for several months and that has disproportionately affected communities of color. NCSD shares in the outrage and grief that this moment warrants. 

We are immensely grateful to the people working on the front lines of change, putting their bodies on the line out of the belief that they can help create a more just reality. And yet,  we are also saddened by the violence, suffering, and loss that we're witnessing.

The desegregation movement has always been situated within a much larger constellation of changemakers doing their part to make the world a better place. As members of a movement, we may not always agree on the tactics being used in any given situation, but we think it's important to recognize that civil rights advances have always required a diversity of approaches and skill sets. NCSD is set up to be a cross-sector coalition because we recognize that it takes all kinds of people working together to disrupt the structures that create inequity--including parents, students, educators, researchers, advocates, activists, and policymakers. The knowledge, perspective, and skills that we each possess can help people in our lives better understand the current reality and help them envision new possibilities. 

The obstacles that those who came before us faced were enormous (for a great read on this, check out Root and Branch: Charles Hamilton Houston, Thurgood Marshall, and the Struggle to End Segregation). But they persisted. Let's not forget that.

May we all find the most appropriate place to contribute as individuals and hold one another in right relationship as we continue this journey. If there is anything NCSD can do to support you in your work, let us know.