I spent a long time thinking about the suitability of writing this piece…
Ispent a long time thinking about the suitability of writing this piece and it’s place on our website. I reached the conclusion that ignoring the situation is a tacit acceptance that it is OK. It isn’t and of that I am certain.
It is with complete sadness that we see what is going on the US right now. It is nothing short of tragic that George Floyd died. I am not a lawyer nor a doctor but am also not naïve. The actions of the Police, and one officer in particular, are unacceptable and had a significant impact on his death. For that, the officers involved need to be held accountable.
I am not black and cannot hope to understand the issues blacks and other minorities face in their daily lives. What I can do – and insist that anyone representing our company does – is treat every single person we come into contact with in exactly the same way, with compassion and empathy and do our utmost to make sure their life is a little better for having dealt with us. We’re not a big company, we don’t have thousands of customers, a large reach or huge social media following, but we can and should do anything we can to stop these problems from reoccurring.
By our actions, we can make a positive difference. As a company, we will do everything we can to help. If we treat others the way we wish to be treated, the world would be a better place. We all can and should do that.
Peaceful protests are one way to effect change and we support those efforts. We’re encouraged by scenes of policemen marching with protestors, kneeling with them and with protestors offering water and protection to officers as they need it. Rioting, looting, arson and violence against others is not acceptable and those found guilty of those crimes need to be held accountable too. The law must be applied equally to all – job title, net worth, color, sexual orientation, political affiliation, zip code should all be irrelevant. Those that are applying the law have an opportunity to show that things can and will change. We pray they take advantage.
Finally, we need to remember all those that are suffering loss. Their grief will continue long after the situation is off the front pages or trending on social media.
Tony
