Dear Friend,
It has been a difficult time with the global pandemic and the protests across the country following the death of George Floyd and the continuing racial despair. As a black American refugee, and a father of five black children, I am not immune from racism, bigotry, and subtle discrimination. The events of the past few days and the political discourse from our leaders are hard to fathom and ignore. Like many Americans, I was outraged to witness the callous murder of an African American on TV.
Along with millions of people around the world, the staff at USCRI grieves for the family of George Floyd. We grieve for the seventeen-year old girl who courageously held her phone steady, ignoring the threats of the police to put down her phone, to tragically record a man’s final moments on this earth. We grieve for his friends and his community. We grieve for ourselves, as Americans, for yet again not living up to the values we hold dear and the greatness of America that yearns for the huddled masses to be free.
As a social service agency serving refugees and immigrants, we are struggling to explain to our clients the gap between our aspirations and our reality—the idea of America existing alongside the stains of racism and bigotry on our nation that refuse to be cleansed.
In our field offices around the country, USCRI staff are working with our refugee and immigrant clients to inform them about the curfews, the need to stay safe, and the role various government agencies play in protecting public safety.
We are also talking about our rights under the law—the right to free speech and to assemble peacefully to make our voices heard. This, too, is America—values enshrined in our Constitution that led men and women to the battlefield to fight for a government of the people, that drove millions of refugees to this great country.
For over 100 years, USCRI has worked with refugees and immigrants, providing social and legal services as well as citizenship education to help them on their journey towards becoming New Americans. We will continue our work during these difficult days as we struggle to reconcile our aspirations with the reality of centuries old injustice of African Americans.
America’s greatness lies in our ability to face our weaknesses and transform ourselves to become the nation of our dreams—a nation that has been a beacon of freedom to the persecuted and oppressed from around the world. Martin Luther King Jr once said: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” I believe that living one day with dignity is better than living many years with humiliation and injustice.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Floyd’s family and all victims of injustice everywhere.
Eskinder Negash
President and Chief Executive Officer
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
