A Letter to colleagues, family, and friends: Black Lives Matter

Praxis grieves the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Dreasjon Reed, David McAtee, and all those killed as a result of anti-Black racism at the hands of the police, the state, and others. We are both outraged and heartbroken, particularly in the midst of the world health crisis and the disproportionate effect it has had on Black people, Native people, and other communities of color. Praxis joins global demands for peace and justice. We add our voices to the cry that Black Lives Matter. Black Women's Lives Matter. Black Trans Lives Matter. 

Praxis' work focuses on ending gender-based violence by eliminating oppression and creating equity in the world. Our work to end gender-based violence is inextricably linked to ending both male supremacy and white supremacy at individual, institutional, and community levels. All forms of violence and oppression are 

interconnected-we cannot end one without ending them all. 

We condemn the systemic racism, white supremacy, state-sponsored violence, and police brutality enacted by institutions in the United States. Praxis stands with Black communities and all those working to hold institutions accountable while dismantling systems of oppression.

As an organization, we recommit to interrogating our own role in working to transform systems and institutions that cause harm. As we do so, we will continue to look to the leadership of individuals and communities most affected by the violence. We commit to grounding ourselves in the experience and leadership of Black and Indigenous people, people of color, and trans people. We commit to supporting and promoting the work of grassroots organizers and movements that seek an end to systemic oppression.

We call on all people to take action to create change. We call on government leaders and policymakers at all levels to implement fundamental changes to address the myriad harmful present-day manifestations of historical inequities perpetrated against Black and Indigenous people, people of color, women, and trans people. 

We believe that uniting in solidarity to take collective action will bring liberation.

In our pursuit of a just and equitable society, we are guided by these words from Archbishop Desmond Tutu: 

Justice requires three things: the truth be told, harm be repaired to the greatest extent possible, and that the conditions that gave rise to the violence be eradicated. 

The time to act is now.

In solidarity,

Praxis