Thousands of protesters marched through our neighborhoods throughout the night and into the early morning hours. Thousands of people marching and chanting followed by hundreds of cars honking their horns. Police cars with lights flashing, and helicopters hovering overhead – police or media, we couldn’t tell – slowly followed the procession. It made quite an impression.
The protesters represented diverse ethnicities and ages. Young people and older adults, some holding signs, many chanting different phrases. I can’t breathe! Black lives matter! No justice, no peace! So many people and voices, yet they were unified in their message: This. Must. Stop. Police brutality. Health inequities. Income inequality. Generations of policies fueled by racism and fear of power loss... It all must stop. And the only way it will change is if the silent majority starts to speak up.
"In the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
None of us can afford to be in the silent majority.
When we founded Genesis, we built the company brand and approach around basic values of courage, integrity, collaboration, joy, and health. We must hold true to these values in this moment, this climate. To speak out about injustices courageously. To listen closely to each other, and seek to change our individual behaviors and organizational practices and policies with integrity. To meaningfully collaborate with each other to build understanding, trust, and joy as we heal our society.
We stand in solidarity with those seeking equity, justice, peace, and healing for our society. We do not and will not tolerate hatred, racism, or injustice. We commit to working with leaders, communities, policymakers and others to develop policies and practices that address inequities and improve health. We pray for everyone. We are all a part of this moment, and we all need to be part of the solution.
Veronica Lawson Gunn, CEO Sara Steines Newstead, Managing Partner
Pediatrician, Public Health Leader, Mother Health Strategist, Policy Maker, Mother
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