A Note from Dr. Jordan Golin
With the death of George Floyd and protests across the United States, I’m compelled to share my personal thoughts with you.
Much of my family was killed in Europe in the 1930s and 40s because they were Jews. Many of my relatives in the United States were banned for years from universities and social organizations for the same reason. And more recently, I struggled, along with family, friends and neighbors, to get through the emotional aftermath of the synagogue shooting a few blocks from my house that took place because Jewish worshippers – people like me – were seen as a threat to the American way of life.
And yet, I am starkly aware that I feel safe jogging through the streets, shopping in stores, driving a car, and asking a police officer for directions. I am not immediately seen as different, and I don’t normally fear that I’ll be treated that way.
Meanwhile, my Black colleagues, friends and neighbors have a very different experience here in Pittsburgh and across our country. The history – past and present – of African Americans in this country is a painful one.
As a father and human-being, I am crushed by the death of George Floyd.
I am outraged by the ever-growing list of Black people who have been senselessly targeted and killed in our country.
I am appalled at the violence taking place in our streets this week.
I asked myself – am I doing all that I can to change negative and racist stereotypes? Definitely not. There is more that I can do, and there is more that we all can do, to change the environment of intolerance that has permeated our country for so long. But we can’t afford the luxury of inaction. The longer we wait to promote change, the longer the list of the dead will grow. Only by starting today to create a community of acceptance, kindness, and equality will we be able to leave our children a world that we can all be proud of.
I am imploring you to take time to reflect and think of ways you can take action to change negative and racist stereotypes and create a more positive environment for all of our neighbors:
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Check on your neighbor – regardless of appearance, background, or ability – and see if they are doing okay
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Write blog posts, social media comments, and letters to the editor about racism and intolerance
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Read articles about implicit bias
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Challenge your own views about race, ethnicity, and equality
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Engage your family and friends in tough conversations about racism
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Come up with your own creative ideas about how to stop this cycle of racism and death
We must work together for a better tomorrow for all.
Dr. Jordan Golin, JFCS President and CEO