We see with clear eyes the ways the death of George Floyd reflects an enduring legacy in our country of racism and violence against Black people. We recognize that racism exists, and that many Black, Indigenous, Latino, and other People of Color, including those who live in or visit Lake County, have endured discrimination. We stand in solidarity with all of the members of our community who have experienced racism or discrimination. We stand in solidarity with the local and national agencies that are paving the way in effectively working to create change. And we say unequivocally that the status quo is unacceptable.
In recent days, we have discussed the role of the Lake County Community Fund in responding to the insidious impact of racism on the health of our community and those who live here. Our board and staff humbly acknowledge that we don’t have all of the answers, but we commit to identifying and implementing actions to combat the status quo. We are cognizant of our privilege and of the fact that many of us are beneficiaries of a system that was designed to support and lift us up, often at others’ expense.
The Lake County Community Fund exists to support local efforts to create a thriving community. A thriving community is not possible while certain members experience racism and discrimination through overt acts or microaggressions. We are committed to listening, educating ourselves, and having real and difficult conversations about how the Community Fund can most effectively take action to combat racism. We invite you to hold us accountable to this commitment. If you would like to give us input on how the Community Fund can best rise to this challenge, please reach out to any Lake County Community Fund board member or contact Executive Director John McMurtry directly, director@lakcountycommunityfund.org.
Although we have much to learn and there is much to be done, we are ready to be part of creating positive change, and to get to work.
