Racial injustice hurts all of us | Guest Opinion

Author’s note: As I struggled to comprehend the events gripping our country this past week, I felt compelled to share my views with colleagues at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Several encouraged me to share my message with the community. Below is an edited version of that message.

In the days since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, our nation has convulsed with anger, frustration and fear. We have seen thousands of citizens take to the streets to express their outrage at his needless death and the underlying racial inequity that many believe is systemic in our country.

These feelings are not reserved to those in big cities but are felt across America and within our own community. We all are horrified by the video of Mr. Floyd pleading, “I can’t breathe,” and we grieve his passing.

Unfortunately, his is not the first such death. But the video of his death grabs our attention and demands our action. One hundred and fifty-seven years after the Emancipation Proclamation, African Americans — and other people of color — are still struggling for full equality and fight every day to escape continuing injustice and discrimination. It is time for each of us to stand up and demand fairness and equity — and to do so firmly but peaceably.

Let us begin by engaging in a thoughtful and respectful dialogue on this difficult topic.

The events of the past week are raw for many and stir strong emotions, ranging from rage to revulsion. This may make the conversations more difficult, but if not now, when?

At the Laboratory, our employees are organizing informal virtual brown bag lunches to discuss this issue. Our leadership team is hosting listening sessions. We want to hear our employees’ stories and concerns so that we can better address the inequities and exclusion that they regrettably experience.

As we deal with our own feelings about what is happening in our country, we do not have to suffer in solitude. Our community is caring, as we have demonstrated throughout the ongoing pandemic. It is now time to show the same care and concern for those struggling with the events currently wracking our country. Please reach out and discuss this topic at the dinner table, with your friends and neighbors, and in your places of worship.

May George Floyd rest in peace and may we heal together as a nation.

This story was originally published June 8, 2020 at 10:56 AM with the headline "Racial injustice hurts all of us | Guest Opinion."