It has been over a year since Breonna Taylor was slain and we are still dealing with the murders of Black people across America. Even now, as we approach the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, we are still witnessing the death of unarmed Black people. Just days ago on April 11, 2021, 20-year-old Daunte Wright was fatally shot by a police officer during a traffic stop. Daunte called his mother just minutes before to let her know he was being pulled over. Daunte leaves behind his family, girlfriend, and 2-year-old son.
We live in a world where it is dangerous to drive while being Black, walk while being Black, play while being Black, and to exist while being Black. Police encounters should not result in death, and the systems that are in place that allow this violence and blatant racial bias to take place need to be changed. This is what happens when racism has a badge and a gun.
Following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Tony McDade, we at Change Matrix released a statement of solidarity and sentiment of hope that these senseless acts of violence would spark a turning point in our country’s long history of white supremacy, police brutality, and racism. We are saddened that a year later, just miles from where George Floyd died, another Black man’s life was taken. We are outraged that there seems to be little systemic change.
Because equity is always at the forefront of everything we do at CM, we will continue to use our work, platform, and voices to address the root causes of inequities and racism. We are committed to uplifting communities and working toward systemic change in our relentless pursuit of justice. We also recognize that systems and policies are built by people, therefore it is important to not only address racism at a systems level but also at the individual level. The tragedy of Daunte Wright’s death is an example of what is happening in the police force, but Black people are also at risk within the areas of health care, education, employment, etc.
Change often begins at a community and organizational level. At CM, we work to uplift communities’ voices to advocate for change. We also work with organizations to improve their policies and structures to promote equity in their services as well as in the workplace. We call on organizations to reflect on how racism shows up within their networks, how they may be marginalizing their ethnically diverse staff, and what work they can do to combat these issues. We must address racism and inequity in our own backyards in order to create real change.
Resources for organizations to combat racism:
- 5 Steps Organizations Must Take to Become Anti-Racist — An article that provides detailed steps for organizations committed to antiracist practices
- Transforming Organizational Culture Assessment Tool (TOCA) — A tool for assessing an organization’s culture in regards to equity communications and antiracist values
- Anti-Racist Organizational Development — A resource guide that aids in creating positive changes within an organization
- Tool for Organizational Self-Assessment Related to Racial Equity — An assessment tool for an organization’s executive level and senior management team to self-identify areas for critical conversations and organizational change
View this article to learn about ways that you can help Daunte Wright’s family.
