The message adults send to children about diversity, inclusion
or scary place.
Children are born and grow within a family and community structure. It is the health of that family and that community which will shape a child’s life and life prospects.
Prior to COVID-19, the disparities in our community were obvious if you cared to look. Once COVID hit, the inequities are glaring. Some are inconvenienced having to watch children while working from home. Others are desperate to find enough food to feed their children.
While we are indeed in the same storm, we are not in the same boat.
Case in point … a child born in Parramore has a 2% chance of reaching the top fifth of the income distribution. Across the street in College Park the probability is 28%.
That is not a question of talent. That is an issue of opportunity.
And then a heartless, callous act ends another black life, while three who took an oath to serve and protect stood by in silence. What kind of a country have we become to think that is OK?
So I am standing today with those who are outraged at the social and economic injustice that continues to be viewed as someone else’s problem.
As a white woman who has the honor of supporting an industry that is 98% owned and operated by women of all colors who dedicate their lives in service to the next generation of community leaders, I raise my voice today and say,
Every child deserves to live in a community that embraces their unique and diverse gifts without a fear their loved ones might not come home.
That seems to me to be a pretty basic commitment we should make to children. And I believe the very future of our community depends on it.