A Message from our President & CEO, Christie Angel
America has an abhorred and sustained tradition of using violence to silence Black Americans and promote white supremacy. Black communities have endured endless campaigns of exploitation, terroristic violence, mass incarceration and economic disinvestment. As we mourn the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, we are reminded of the ongoing reality of present-day lynching and anti-black vigilantism.
Last night, protestors took to the streets of Downtown Columbus fueled by justifiable hurt and anger, demanding justice and action. At YWCA Columbus, while we cannot condone intentional damage to property, we acknowledge the historical and ongoing traumas of racism and the urgent need to dismantle oppressive institutions, and we stand alongside you.
We should all be outraged about the systems of marginalization that have perpetuated centuries of racial inequities and the loss of Black lives. But outrage without action is the same as complacency and we need to take action now. This is where we need our allies and advocates to dig into the work with us. To come together, and build a community of allies to fight against systemic racism.
We push toward a Columbus and a nation where every person is treated with dignity and has the right to live a life without fear and persecution. We urge you to join us as we march boldly toward equity and freedom.
Here are actions you can take today:
- Take a stand against racism. When you see something, say something. Have difficult conversations with friends, family and neighbors. Standing up to racism is a powerful sign of support.
- Register for SURJ’s national webinar tonight at 8 ET Showing Up for Racial Justice: A Call to Action for White Folks. The call will lift up updates from people on the ground and offer concrete actions for people to take. Invite a concerned friend to join you.
- Register to vote, encourage your network to register, and vote in every election. Your vote and voice count. And sign up to phone bank voters on June 4th.
- Read and share 5 Ways White People Can Take Action in Response to White and State Sanctioned Violence. Share it and encourage a friend, family member or organization to take action with you.
- Support YWCA Columbus in our work to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Take action by making a donation today or by attending our virtual Activists and Agitators event in the fall. This event is dedicated to uniting the Columbus community, inspiring attendees to pursue greater social change than we can achieve alone. You can learn about our advocacy agenda and how we are dedicated to confronting uncomfortable truths about prejudice and poverty at ywcacolumbus.org.