Black Lives Matter & Anti-Racism
Dear Friends, Families, and the FASD community,
The heinous murder of George Floyd by then Minneapolis police officers Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao struck us, and the country, to our collective core. It has provided yet another example of the institutional biases that work against the civil liberties of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and all the voices silenced by police brutality serve as a call to action. We are reminded of the ideals that our country strives towards, and that to stand with all voices, is to stand on the side of justice and respect for humanity.
Recent events have shaken us and we’re finally listening to the racial injustices faced by BIPOC, which are ingrained in life as we know it. CAMP - A FASD Community was established to address healthcare injustices for people with FASD. Furthermore, studies have indicated a higher prevalence of FASD in lower socioeconomic status and in racial/ethnic minorities. We at CAMP see a clear overlap in these populations, and to better fulfill our mission, it is incumbent upon us to amplify the voices of BIPOC with FASD. In response, we at CAMP will improve upon our operations in the following ways:
Although CAMP and the National Black Women’s Justice Institute’s primary paths may be different, we are together in the uphill battle against the systemic injustice facing BIPOC populations. Therefore, our Board of Directors will be making a joint donation on behalf of CAMP to the National Black Women’s Justice Institute.
Furthermore, to increase access to our programs, CAMP is establishing a permanent scholarship program for campers who identify as Black, Indigenous, or as a Person of Color.
It is now more important than ever that we take a stand alongside BIPOC and against racism. We as a society are far stronger united than we are divided, and we see recent events as a profound moment to listen and learn. Like the voice of George Floyd, the voices of all people must be heard. We at CAMP are here to act where needed, and we hope that all of you in our community will be with us along the way. Please do not hesitate to contact the Board of Directors with any comments, questions, or concerns as we are all ready to join the conversation and begin our anti-racist journey.
Together,
CAMP- A FASD Community