SID-Washington's Statement of Solidarity for the Black Community

SID-Washington's Statement of Solidarity for the Black Community

These are sad and upsetting times for everyone around the world. We are outraged at the horrific killing of George Floyd, and although the SID-Washington community focuses most of its programming outside the United States, painful moments like these are a reminder of the crucial work that needs to be done in our own homes. It is of vital importance to create inclusive, equitable, fair, and just communities that value human dignity all around the world – including our own backyards.

The history of racial injustice and inequity is deeply rooted in the United States, and we recognize that it will take many people and institutions to shift this imbalance. We, at SID-Washington, condemn the racist violence that has led to the unforgivable loss of life and brutal atrocities against so many Black, indigenous, and people of color in the United States.

Bridging and convening diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures are at the heart of SID-Washington’s mission. We bring people together to talk and exchange ideas. Now, we ask each of you to take a moment as a community and speak out in support of Black lives that are often silenced in the United States, just as you have been doing for so many in the developing world.

As international development professionals, we are familiar with addressing the work that needs to be done around the world. The current state of our communities asks us to do the work here in our own homes, starting with the spaces we inhabit. If we each contribute in some way to advancing our shared humanity, including within our own communities, we can begin to shift the imbalance of inequity and injustice. If you have ideas on how SID-Washington can help foster this difficult but important dialogue, please email us.