In this moment of history, our nation is groaning for so many reasons, but there is no greater scourge on America than the systemic oppression of our Black brothers and sisters. The centuries-long exploitation and cruelty against Black people, Indigenous people, and other communities of color have no place in our future. At Harvest House, our core values include commitments to lead with love, challenge the ordinary, ignite hope, and validate diversity. These values are the bedrock of racial healing, justice, and reconciliation, and they compel us to take meaningful action. First at home, then in our community. We must look deeply at our own thoughts and actions to root out implicit bias. Then we must take it to our places of worship, employment, to our circles of influence, and the greater community. We cannot wait for government or large corporations to lead. It starts with us. (See below for a list of action steps you can start with today.) This takes time and honest effort. Our body, mind, and spirit must invest in the process. Our will for justice must outlast the media’s short attention span. The terror and anxiety shown on mainstream television today are not new for Black Americans. For centuries, in the privacy of homes, Black parents have been teaching their children to assimilate to whiteness just to stay alive. This begs the question, “does every American have inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?” We do not. And this MUST change. Harvest House is committed to the work of anti-racism, and we will hold ourselves accountable. We are committed to standing in the face of injustice to protect Black lives, aspirations, and futures. Our efforts will not cease until there is justice in criminal justice, housing, education, healthcare, employment, and accessibility to wealth and upward mobility. Harvest House will continue combatting generational poverty by offering affordable and supportive housing, access to gainful employment, education, and substance use and mental health services. These services are built upon a diverse community of love and connection. The fight is not over. We will persist until freedom belongs to everyone. With love,  Erin Minor Executive Director  Don’t wait. Take action today. Reach out to families and friends and sit with each other. Listen intently to our collective heartbreak. Allow your own heartbreak to motivate you to do your own anti-racism work by reading and listening to content readily available. Here are just a few great leaders with rich content: BeTheBridge.com, Ibram X. Kendi, Austin Channing Brown, Latasha Morrison, Rachel Elizabeth Cargle. Support Black businesses. Empower people in your circles of influence to practice racial healing, equity, and reconciliation by facilitating healthy conversations that lead to understanding perspectives and history. Through social media and other mediums, amplify the voices of Black speakers, activists, artists, and parents who have been leading the fight for liberation for centuries. Lead with love in all you do and say. Before you say or do anything, ask yourself “does this look and feel like love to the people around me?” |
