The graph that accompanies this post traces social media engagement on a variety of hot-button events. It reveals a lot: the horrifying, incredible power of the video of George Floyd’s murder (source: Axios, June 17, 2020). The awesome magnitude of awareness and support that it brought to the Black Lives Matter movement and protests. The depth of the pain and frustration that so many people are feeling around this issue. And the inevitable waning of media coverage and engagement as more current events take center stage.
But as the freshly horrifying murder of Rayshard Brooks has illustrated, no amount of media engagement alone can undo the systemic structures of racism that permeate our society. Dismantling systems of racial inequality — of white supremacy — will require so much more than that from all of us, and for a very long time to come.
We’re committed to keeping momentum behind our promise to be a part of the change that needs to happen in this country. As a company and individually we will continue to spend time attending peaceful protests, educating ourselves through reading and media, engaging in the tough conversations, and making space within our working lives to bring matters of racial justice to the fore. These are small steps, but our philosophy has always been to just start somewhere and build from there. Our goal is to look back in six months and be proud of the changes — small and large — we’ve made to be a better, more educated, aware and socially equitable company.
As the leaders of this business we are striving to find the actions — not just the words — that can make an impact. We know this is a marathon, not a sprint. To us, the most important thing is to stay on the track and to make continual progress.
Steve & Eric, Co-Managing Directors
