Recent tragedies illuminate that before there was COVID, the real pandemic in this country has been racism and social injustice. This impacts all of us but we should recognize who have been the real targets of hate and racism; African Americans and people of color.  This is not only true for our staff but also the families we serve.  All of us who choose human services as a profession believe that we can and have made the world a better place.  Recent events threaten that world view and frankly, I am discouraged and saddened.

I hope that the culture of diversity, equity and inclusion that Child & Family strives for will help give each of us the strength to find and share our voice with one another.  If we are going to make the world a better place we need to find our voice.  Racism, brutality, hatred, and  institutional class oppression have been the real pandemic. The vaccine for hatred and racism is love and understanding.  Let’s start the dialogue as we share big doses of both with one another and those we serve.

I invite all of you to share your thoughts and feelings.

Thanks and warm regards,

Marty