Hi John,
In January, I watched in disbelief as the current administration launched an assault against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Our country started pulling back from the world in ways that struck at the heart of what my program at WOLA works for in Colombia, Brazil, and across the Americas: inclusive peace and protections for Afrodescendants, women, LGBTQ+, and Indigenous peoples.
I was overwhelmed, and no matter how many advocacy pieces I published, urgent actions I sent out, or interviews I gave, it never felt like enough. The pace was relentless, and the weight of the moment heavy. Then, in late February, I served as a panelist at a gathering of policymakers, grassroots advocates, legal scholars, and human rights defenders from across the Americas focused on combating racism and fostering inclusion. Listening to stories of resilience—from communities organizing in rural Colombia to lawmakers fighting for racial justice in the halls of Congress—reminded me that this struggle is shared.
Our partners and allies are not stopping, and neither can we.
I won’t pretend this suddenly made everything better. But it gave me what I was missing: inspiration and determination to push harder, speak louder, stand firm, and be bolder in my work to fight for human rights and inclusion. Solidarity is what carries us through the hardest moments. It’s what reminds us to keep going, even when the odds feel impossible.
WOLA’s strength comes from this community of solidarity, from our partners on the frontlines, and from every person who believes in human rights, inclusion, and peace, including advocates like you.
Stand in solidarity with us. Make a gift to WOLA today.
Sincerely,
