(This text was originally sent by email on June 17th.)
Dear Supporter,
The Sierra Club Maryland Chapter stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter.
We stand against white supremacy, structural racism, and systems of oppression. Though these will not be dismantled overnight, we must all commit to real change in ourselves, our organizations, and our society until they are.
Sierra Club's mission is to provide opportunities for all people to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet. That mission can never be achieved when some members of society are discriminated against and unsafe in their daily lives.
We know that at national and chapter levels, racial equity and justice have not always been at the center of Sierra Club's work. We can and must do better.
Within the Sierra Club we need to double down on our efforts to be more inclusive and reflective of the communities we work to protect. We must make sure our doors and our culture are welcoming to everyone, even if it means changing the ways we work.
In our own lives, being “not racist” isn’t enough, we need to be actively anti-racist. Here are some great anti-racism resources. Challenge yourself to confront racism when you see it or hear it, and intervene to support people of color and de-escalate incidences of racist behavior. To understand the intersection of environmental advocacy and racial justice, start with Hop Hopkins' article “Racism Is Killing the Planet.”
Support organizations in Black communities. The COVID-19 crisis is hitting communities of color the hardest. Many are now reeling from violence on top of these health threats. Please donate and join in solidarity--not charity. Invest and follow community organizations led by Black people. Here are some non-exhaustive ideas for a start.
Join a Juneteenth event from June 18-21. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 — the day when enslaved people in Texas received word from a Union Army officer that they were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is a sacred day for the Black community, and Sierra Club is supporting Movement for Black Lives SixNineteen Action and principles. Virtual and other Juneteenth events are also happening locally.
Together we can build a better planet for everyone.
Yours in the fight,
Rosa Hance, Chapter Chair
Josh Tulkin, Chapter Director
PS - Thank you to the many staff and volunteers, especially people of color, who helped us with this statement.
A Note About COVID-19
We recognize and want to emphasize that we are still in the middle of a pandemic and public health crisis. Virtual event options are open to all. Before deciding to participate in person at an event near you, please assess the risks based on your personal health and your local community's guidelines. If you do decide to attend in person, please wear a mask, use hand sanitizer often, and maintain 6 or more feet distance from others outside your household.