Photo: Myra, Bryce and Tayo Oyedemi at the Easthampton Kneels and Solidarity Vigil for George Floyd. Photo by Paul Shoul

We share in the outrage over the murders of far too many Black, Brown, and Indigenous people across our country. United Way believes that all our neighbors, without exception or qualification, must be treated with dignity and respect. This includes equal access to justice. Our country’s long history of institutional racism makes clear that justice is too often a privilege, and there will never be true equity without equal access. This disparity of justice is a travesty. It is the opposite of everything that United Way supporters and volunteers value, live, and fight for every day.

We are deeply saddened by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others. We stand in solidarity with all those who are demanding the elimination of systemic racism, which is at the heart of our twin current crises: persistent violence against Black, Brown and Indigenous people and health inequities tied to COVID-19.

Shoulder-to-shoulder, we call for positive and immediate action. We denounce white defensiveness and cries of “we are not racist.” Such pleas are cover for maintaining a status quo that falls far short of the promises of equity our country professes.

For over 130 years, and 98 years in Hampshire County, United Way has operated with the belief that our community’s greatest challenges are solved when all parties come together, an inclusiveness we must continually strive to improve. We must ally and align all Hampshire County groups against racial discrimination and injustice.

Hampshire County is not free of racial disparities. One example*: Blacks make up just over 2% of our population and make up 18% of the homeless. Latinas/Latinos make up 4.5% of our population and make up 22% of the homeless. Whites are 88% of the population and represent only 58% of the homeless. While the population percentages supported by United Way of Hampshire County more closely reflect the need rather than the population (7.5% of our support goes to Blacks, 19% to Latinas/Latinos, and 58% to whites), we still fall short. (*Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness)

United Way of Hampshire County is a historically white-led organization. We have played our part in institutional racism, both wittingly and unwittingly. Just because we say we value racial justice doesn’t mean we practice it.

Institutional racism is insidious. It renders blind the perpetrators, instills profound, destructive defensiveness, and in the process, impedes action. We have to own this, even as we look to create a more inclusive and equitable future. United Way brings a century of community influence to the fore, and we start with a reaffirmation of our values and actions.

First, we affirm that racism exists, including within United Way and in ourselves, especially as white people. Police violence can’t be simply excused away as the blight of a few bad apples. We must assist our communities of color more, including in their endeavors to ensure our police force truly protects their rights.

Second, to our Black, Brown, and Indigenous colleagues we say: We see your humanity. We hear you. We will listen without becoming fragile when you share your lived experiences.

Third, we endeavor to lift up Black, Brown, and Indigenous leadership within our organization and our affiliated organizations because we have come to understand that we are better together. This includes board and staff education, and the review of our hiring and promotion practices by our standing diversity, equity, and inclusion committee in conjunction with consultants.

Fourth, because our goal is to become an anti-racist organization, we commit to the following actions:

Building bridges, listening to and lifting up Black, Indigenous, and People of Color leadership, and being accountable to our neglected communities of color and their organizations.
Holding up the mirror in conjunction with our United Way network of funded partners and donors to self-evaluate and educate ourselves about relevant issues.

Holding ourselves accountable: Developing a diversity & inclusion plan and sticking to it.

Investing in the community: Identifying concrete steps we can take to better fund Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Being Honest: Being transparent with our journey.

Raising awareness with our partner agencies, donors, partner corporations, and the community.

We believe that there is no such thing as an innocent bystander. Inaction is not neutral, it is being complicit. We call on everybody, especially whites, to act, regardless of your experience. Fight for reform and justice and, because humanity is built on mutual accountability, show up. Show up and educate yourself. Show up to bear witness. Show up to participate in meaningful dialogue.

Institutional racism is real…yet it can be undone. The fight is hard, long, and worthy. The better angels of our nature demand dedication and perseverance.

John Bidwell | Executive Director

Kate Glynn | Board Chair

Staff

Maria Carlson

Rachel Jackson

Bob Lapre

Geoff Naunheim

Board of Directors

Molly Feinstein | Board Vice Chair

Jeff Harness | Secretary | Chair of Diversity Committee

Pamela Zagorski | Treasurer, Chair of Finance Committee

Lindsay Barron