Dear
John,
As a show of solidarity earlier this month, the National Partnership participated in #BlackoutTuesday, interrupting our business as usual to amplify black voices instead of our own.
We believed it was a good and important thing to do. And we did it with sincerity and humility. In hindsight, we also did it without fully understanding the meaning of our words.
In the weeks since #BlackoutTuesday, we have deepened our understanding of these issues and the movement sweeping our country, and I can now say with even deeper conviction that the National Partnership genuinely supports the Black Lives Matter campaign. It aligns with our day-to-day work to advance health and economic justice for all women and families. It is essential to achieving our vision of a just and equitable society in which all people live with dignity, respect, security and opportunity undiminished by any form of discrimination or bias.
This is a time we all must challenge the status quo. As an organization dedicated to rooting out the entrenched and systemic sexism and racism that permeate all parts of our society, we support defunding, dismantling and reallocating bloated police budgets and investing in local communities and organizations that are better equipped to ensure healthy and safe communities in which all women and families can thrive.
I am proud to share with you some of the ways in which the National Partnership is actively demonstrating our support for Black Lives Matter.
- The National Partnership submitted testimony to the District of Columbia Council’s Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety expressing strong opposition to proposed increases in funding for the Metropolitan Police Department.
In solidarity with community-based organizations led by Black residents of D.C., we also urged that funds be reallocated to programs that have proven effective at reducing violence and increasing economic opportunities for D.C. residents.
Read More »
- We are partnering with BYP100 (Black Youth Project 100) on an urgent petition demanding Congress address police violence immediately.
This courageous, youth-led organization mobilizes, develops and empowers Black 18-35 year-old activists and organizers dedicated to creating justice and freedom for all Black people.
Sign the Petition »
- We are an official mobilizing partner of this weekend's Mass Poor People’s Assembly & National Moral March on Washington.
This will be an historic digital event bringing together people across the nation to confront the interlocking evils of systemic racism, poverty, climate change and ecological devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism.
Register to Join »
In these ways and more, the National Partnership is committed to centering Black women and Black families who’ve been deliberately harmed and disadvantaged by structural and systemic racism, misogyny and sexism. That’s how we advance our mission to achieve equity for all women and families.
Thank you for believing in this important work. Your support makes all the difference!
Sincerely,
Debra Ness
President
|
|
