One Step Towards Much Needed Change
While justice for the Floyd family cannot heal such deep wounds, we hope this verdict propels much needed change. Holding Derek Chauvin accountable for the murder of George Floyd is a necessary, incremental step towards justice and equity.
But this must not -- cannot -- slow down the movement for justice. This past week, we woke up to the news of the senseless death of an unarmed black man, 20-year-old Daunte Wright, and the shocking video released of the shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo. Each time a horrific injustice occurs, it only serves to swell the trauma and pain experienced by so many Black Americans every single day.
At Covenant House, we owe our young people more than shelter, housing, food and job training. We owe BIPOC youth the witness of an anti-racist movement that names the toxins in our society and champions justice and peace. We owe them our voices in support of efforts to dismantle racist institutions and practices, from the disproportionate representation of Black children in foster care, to state level voter suppression efforts, to redlined housing markets, all of which hurt or destroy Black families and perpetuate housing instability and homelessness.
We stand with BIPOC youth everywhere, youth who are justifiably questioning, with anger and fear, a system in which they are judged -- and in danger -- due to the color of their skin.
At Covenant House, we stand with our BIPOC staff today, many of whom have endured personal experiences with racism and hatred, and yet bring love and hope to their work in lifting up our young people and walking this path with them. Our frontline teams who provide educational advancement, job training, and housing support, and have relentless devotion to helping young people reclaim their lives. And our extended team that works to destigmatize services that support trauma and mental health.
At Covenant House, we mourn all over again for the senseless loss of George Floyd, and pray for his family. Today, Derek Chauvin was held accountable for this murder. But we all need to do more to be unified in our commitment to raise our voices around the toxins of racism that permeate our society. And together we must build the beloved community.
Our doors are open and we will continue to welcome, accept and protect every young person who seeks safety and shelter inside our walls. We will strive to demonstrate every day that love, not hate, is the answer.
