John,

The loss of Black lives to COVID-19 and police violence are related evils, and they shouldn't be disentangled—they're both the result of deep-rooted systemic and institutionalized racism. And as the disease continues to devastate Black communities, the violent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and too many others by police and white supremacists have spurred a national reckoning with America’s long-standing devaluation and oppression of Black lives.

COVID-19 is exacerbating our nation’s systemic racism and disparities that hurt Black children and families, while these vicious murders signal to them that America does not value their lives or their future.

This violence and harm only widens the racial gaps that hold back our nation’s children at every step. Too many of our Black children were already living in poverty before COVID-19, lacking the stable housing, quality health care, ample nutritious food, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and access to resources and opportunities they need to succeed. But we can do better—and we must stand up for Black children.

We will never stop fighting for racial justice for our children—in our communities, our schools, our policing, and our policies. Thank you for fighting alongside us in pursuit of a country that values the lives of Black children just as much as those of white children. We couldn’t do it without you.

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