Racism is a festering plague. We must confront it.

Some suggested first steps…

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Every American child has recited the words, with their hand held across their heart – with liberty and justice for all. But for so many, it is a hollow promise. Because racism and injustice persist like a deadly, festering plague across our country.

As EDF President Fred Krupp stated last weekend:

Racism leads only to harm and death. It has always been so. EDF condemns all racist expressions, actions, and policies. These have been ingrained in our society for far too long.

The murder of George Floyd, and countless other unarmed Black people, weighs heavily on the conscience of this nation. We all need to speak out against acts of brutality, big and small. It is especially important that white Americans do so.

EDF demands not only justice, but reform and equity, to end the long train of abuse arising from the same cause: racism.

The millions of protesters who have put their bodies in harm’s way and taken to the streets must be heard. There is visceral and urgent determination in the calls for justice. And we can only hope this finally will be a turning point, a time when we can come together to enact meaningful and lasting reform to protect the lives of marginalized Americans.

But that will only come if all Americans – and especially white Americans like myself – speak up for and support our Black friends, neighbors and fellow Americans during this incredibly difficult time – and back up their demands for change.

To our Black and brown supporters: We see you. We are here for you. We will not stand silently by as your lives are put on the line. We’re listening to hear what you need. [link removed]

To our white supporters: It's time for us to stand with our Black brethren. We must declare with love and solidarity that Black Lives Matter and justice is necessary.

Here are a few ways you can help:

Learn – and unlearn. White Americans like me will never fully understand the Black experience. But by educating ourselves – and sometimes, unlearning dangerous lessons ingrained in us from our childhoods – we will build a better world. Check out books like How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
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Elevate Black voices. You have a platform – whether it’s on Facebook, at work
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Donate. We need to be supporting this work in tangible ways, not just through our words. We suggest you find local organizations to support near you, but another great option is the NAACP Legal Defense Fund
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This is only the beginning. We should all do what we can to make this moment a turning point and to join our voices together to implement meaningful, tangible, lasting reform to protect the lives of our fellow Americans. That hope will only be realized – that hollow promise will only become whole – if we all take action to make it so.

Thank you for standing with us,

Sam Parry
Membership Director
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Environmental Defense Fund
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