#BLACKLIVESMATTER
The events unfolding have shaken us to the core. Just as we had struggled to understand our current time as “Before Covid” and “After Covid” we are now faced with another, though interconnected, demarcation.
George Floyd’s death is one of innumerable injustices waged upon black and brown people over the course of years, decades, centuries. This pattern of injustice is so finely woven into our culture, protests and uprisings are necessary to lay bare the institutionalized racism that we inhabit — and must address.
The impulse for ECI, an organization focused on the climate emergency, is to see everything, including racism, as both a symptom and amplifier of the climate crisis and environmental injustice. Our mission is to elevate the voice of youth in the struggle for climate action and environmental justice. Youth intrinsically see the intersections and connections the rest of us don’t always get, and we have much to learn from their wisdom.
Our hearts are heavy with the scenes of tumult along with unnecessary aggression by police. Yet we know the current unrest is a necessary stage in facing the poison of pervasive racism in our culture.
We are here to listen and to learn, and together we can find the way forward. At ECI, the Earth Charter helps guide us in fractious times. These three statements from the Charter are an inspiration to us; we hope they are to you as well.
Eliminate discrimination in all its forms, such as that based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, language, and national, ethnic or social origin.
Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels, and provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision making, and access to justice.
Demilitarize national security systems to the level of a non-provocative defense posture, and convert military resources to peaceful purposes, including ecological restoration.
We commit to:
Redoubling our focus on environmental justice.
Investing our efforts in communities hard hit by environmental racism.
Diversifying our own house, i.e. staff and board.
Rooting out bias and racism in our own minds, hearts and habits.
We ask you to TAKE ACTION with us:
Follow and support organizations and actions such as Indy10 Black Lives Matter, BIPOC, South Bend BLM, SURJ (Standing Up for Racial Justice), Fort Wayne BLM Action, SURJ Indianapolis
Calls and emails to your own Mayor, City Council, Law Enforcement Agencies, and Governor Holcomb urging them to support the demands of BLM organizers, including their Week of Action.
In Solidarity,
Jim, Shannon and Tatjana