The Parker Collins team joins others in our community in our outrage over the murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police department. Our hearts go out to Mr. Floyd’s family, friends, and community. We stand in solidarity with the communities affected by this and countless other violent tragedies. It is our stance that change must take place for oppressed communities to have  justice, and that the pace of change must be accelerated. Words are not enough; action is required at all levels—individual, systemic, and institutional. These actions include police reform, banning of choke holds, recognition of systems of injustice and the present and historical trauma experienced by people of color, accountability taking by those with privilege and power, and racial healing. We believe it is primarily the responsibility of the White community to act against racism and oppression, starting with the recognition and understanding of White privilege.

Parker Collins believes in racial equality. We will continue to challenge systematic racism and the oppression of people of color. We believe protest is not only a right, but a necessity. Furthermore, some individuals and groups perpetrating violence and destruction in our communities, in an attempt to discredit protesters, are engaging in acts of racism. We acknowledge the trauma, pain, anger, and frustration in our community. Silence and complacency are not options. It is important for us to continue to state, unequivocally, that Black Lives Matter. We want to see change towards equality and justice for all community members. Nothing good comes from oppression, and there is no room for healing without equality, accountability, basic human rights, and love.

How can you help?

Given that our clients and staff of color, and our community at large, are mourning George Floyd's murder, questions of what each of us can do abound. Below is a link to Anti-racism resources for White people that you can read, pass on, and discuss in our communities. Much respect and credit for creating this resource is given to Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein, May 2020.