BECAUSE BLACK LIVES MATTER

Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. Tony McDade.  George Floyd

In the wake of these and many other Black lives lost to racial hatred and violence, we stand in solidarity with our BLACK colleagues. According to the President of the American Psychological Association, “We are living in a racism pandemic, which is taking a heavy psychological toll on our BLACK AND BROWN citizens. The health consequences are dire. Racism is associated with a host of psychological consequences, including depression, anxiety and other serious, sometimes debilitating conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders.”

For those in the BLACK AND BROWN community, we know you carry an extra burden right now and Nuevo Amanecer Latino Children Services stands in solidarity with you.

Our Organization is based on the foundation that all of us are equal and linked by a thread –DNA- that we are genetically 99.5% the same.  At Nuevo Amanecer, we believe that change starts with seeking first to understand, not to be understood.  We commit to listening to, holding space for, and learning from marginalized voices in our community. We share so much in common, yet BLACK AND BROWN skin means you will disproportionately experience injustices and prejudice that can put lives on completely different trajectories.

As people advocates, I feel the responsibility to not just talk about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, but also make meaningful changes and contributions through my own actions and how we operate at Nuevo Amanecer.   Our services are geared to serve all people, regardless of the color of their skin, religion, nationality, or gender; nonetheless, we most definitely have the potential to be better.  Despite our efforts, I have to honestly say that we are also part of the problem when we do not raise our voice, when we do not vote, when we stay silent.  There is so much injustice…It is time we hold ourselves accountable, I am holding myself accountable and I suggest you should do as well. 

I know we cannot change the past but we can certainly learn from this! I will do everything I can to be part of the change. “Together we are stronger”.

In Solidarity,
Norma A. Duque
President  & CEO
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Nuevo Amanecer Latino Children Services

To read our Commitment to Anti-Racism, please click NALCS Commitment to Antiracism.