John,

This is a time for mourning.

We mourn the loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many more Black Americans who have been wrongfully killed in senseless acts of violence.

This is a time for listening.

The peaceful protests emerging across the country right now are a sign that we need to listen to our fellow Black citizens who know that these deaths are not isolated incidents, but the result of decades of systemic racism in our country. We must hear their pleas for equity, respect, and justice.

And above all, this is a time for action.

We must do better -- as a country and as individuals. As we strive to be allies, we must commit ourselves daily to the work of advocating for the needs of the Black community -- such as criminal justice reform, economic security, and voting rights -- in order to effectively bring about real change.

From joining peaceful protests to supporting community groups and organizations dedicated to racial justice, we all have a part to play in this movement. For those of you looking for a way to take action, please consider a contribution to the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund to support critical ballot initiatives and legislative efforts to fight hatred and seek justice for the most vulnerable in our society.

The struggle for equality is far from over. We as a nation must come together and begin to heal the divisive wounds left by generations of prejudice and discrimination in order to move forward together.

Let’s Do Good Work,

Elaine Luria