| Dear Friends,
Seven years ago, the Food Solutions New England network declared that racial equity must be central to the food system we are collectively creating in our region. While so much work has been done by people, organizations, businesses and other groups across New England, we know that the scourge of systemic racism and white supremacist behaviors remain.
As a network, we are committed to continuing the work of fighting systemic racism and lifting up the work of so many across our network and region who are doing the same. We condemn ongoing racist and white supremacist acts across our country and in our own region.
While this work will evolve and continue year-round in many forms, right now we want to offer two things: the use of our “megaphone” and the body of resources we’ve amassed over seven years of offering the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge.
- The Megaphone: What action, opportunity, news or stories can we amplify through our 15K person mailing list and social media presence? What can we shine a light on that would be useful for your work in dismantling racism and white supremacist behaviors? Send us the details.
- The 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge: While the “official” twenty-one days of the Challenge wrapped up in April, we invite you or, even better, your business or organization to make use of the twenty-one days of learning material on any schedule that works for you. There is also a rich racial equity resources page organized thematically. If you or your organization find yourself in the position of wanting to take action and learn more, there is never a wrong time to get educated about the history and legacy of racism in our country and in our food system.
We also encourage you to connect with local justice and anti-racist groups at this time if you are in a position to offer direct support. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the countless other people affected by this nation’s history of killing black, brown and indigenous people.
The work continues. We seek to join hearts, minds and actions to be forces of change in our world.
Sincerely,
Food Solutions New England Steering Committee |
