We Will Not Normalize Racism

Dear Editor:

“We are outraged, yet not surprised, by the events in Charlottesville. Every American, especially white Americans, must keep our country’s ongoing legacy of racism at the front of our minds. Images of torch-bearing white supremacists may feel to some like a relic from the past being brought to life by a few extremists. However, we must trust Black women and other people of color when they say that these displays are indicative of daily racial injustices and threats that communities of color continue to face in the United States. What happened was an unacceptable display of hate and white supremacy that has no place in our communities. YWCA USA will not tolerate or normalize racism in any of its insidious forms.”

Statement by YWCA USA interim CEO Casey Harden

While white supremacists and other extremists are emboldened right now, we are also concerned about daily challenges communities of color face in the United States including racial profiling and criminalization, immigration, gender-based violence, disparate maternal health outcomes, access to healthcare, and economic inequality. We invite to join us in the daily work of dismantling the systemic racism that is impacting our community.

YWCA Orange County