Addressing Systemic Racism

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Systemic and institutional racism in our country is not new; it has been happening for over 400 years. We are at an inflection point. Our country can no longer deny that the current economic systems, policies and structures create a woefully unjust society that disadvantages and marginalizes Black communities.

George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery – these lost lives as well as those of numerous other victims were the result of race-based brutality and violence. And, this doesn’t include the countless commonplace verbal, behavioral or environmental indignities which happen to Black individuals and their families every day, in their places of work and the communities in which they live. Black lives do matter.

We, at All Points North Foundation, believe that all individuals, regardless of their race, gender, socio-economic class or ability have a “true North” – a place of achievement – and that everyone should have equal opportunity and access to realize their goals. We are against the marginalization and oppression of any population. Since 2012, through our solar and public middle level education work, we have sought to improve the educational and financial inequities of communities of color and tribal populations in the U.S.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu stated, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

We will listen more. We will work harder to stand up for racial equality, and fight racism and unjust treatment of any kind. As funders, we will continue to bring more diverse voices to the table and make sure that the communities we serve have representation at the highest level. We know that we still have more work to do.

We encourage everyone to fight racism, including understanding how to deal with conscious and unconscious implicit bias.

Sincerely,
All Points North Foundation’s Board of Directors and Executive Director