Conservation Corps stands against racism

As chairman of the Conservation Corps North Bay board, I am happy to say the directors could not be prouder of our corps members who have continued working in our community during the COVID-19 crisis. They have embraced this role with courage and responsibility, all the while coping with their own personal challenges.

One of these challenges that many of our corps members regularly face is racism, which ranges from racist micro-aggressions to the burden of navigating systemic racism which permeates every institution of our society. CCNB works hard to support corps members facing these challenges, providing them a job, an education, jobskills training and a sense of community and stability.

While CCNB’s support is important to our corps members’ success, it will not end systemic racism by itself. CCNB was painfully reminded of this reality recently when one of our on-duty crews was subjected to a racially charged incident involving a member of the public confronting our crew while they were working.

This incident in the midst of the renewed energy of the Black Lives Movement has caused CCNB’s board and leadership to contemplate how to confront the problem of systemic racism and help our community be accountable. We are asking you to join us in taking the first step in addressing this problem by making an intentional and personal effort to seek a deeper knowledge of racism and white privilege.

Our corps members are important contributors to this community and are stepping up to face the present challenges when they are most needed. As their fellow community members, we are obligated to stand up to racism, hold ourselves accountable and support systemic change to ensure that all persons are fully included.

We are looking forward to you joining us in doing this important work.

— Michael Glass, Conservation Corps North Bay