We unequivocally stand in solidarity with protesters in calling for the end to violence against Black people. George Floyd should still be alive. Breonna Taylor should still be alive. Ahmaud Arbery should still be alive. Black Lives Matter. Black Babies Matter. Black Mamas Matter. Black Dads Matter.
It took the murder of Michael Brown, the ensuing uprising and the analysis of its root causes by the Ferguson Commission, and the 2017 Stockley verdict protests for Generate Health, FLOURISH’s backbone organization, to make a public and permanent commitment to fully participate in the dismantling of the racism that causes and sustains the unjust disparities in maternal and infant health. By the end of 2017 we adopted a vision of the elimination of racial disparities in infant mortality and maternal health and changed our mission to center racial equity. FLOURISH soon after with a vision to eliminate racial disparities in infant mortality by 2033 – a bold proclamation that requires equally bold changes in how we work to improve health outcomes for Black pregnant and parenting families.
As our community and nation once again face the harsh reality that violence against Black people is allowed to continue, is sanctioned by police and criminal justice systems, we want to be explicit in stating our steadfast commitment to racial equity. We have embarked on a journey to understand how systemic, institutional and structural racism results in worse health outcomes for some and better health outcomes for others and how we help maintain white supremacy.
Earlier this year, Generate Health launched a year-long racial equity audit of our organization with the guidance of Crossroads Anti-Racism Training and Organizing. A group of board members and staff are digging deeper than ever to unflinchingly uncover the patterns that must be identified and intentionally, boldly replaced with new culture, practices, and behaviors that support equity and justice.
We as an organization have a lot of work ahead to transform into a more anti-racist organization. We are taking the lead from those who have been on the front line advocating for justice for decades and from the individuals and communities who live with racial oppression every day. I ask you to also support local Black-led racial justice organizations and their calls to action, including
- Forward Through Ferguson
- Jamaa Birth Village
- Organization for Black Struggle
- Action St. Louis
- WE POWER
- ArchCity Defenders
- YWCA
- Deaconess Foundation
Thank you for joining us – together, we will do more to continue the fight for racial justice.
