I
feel compelled to share this, but I think this group, in particular, needs
to hear it.
For
those of you in this community still thinking that there isn't internal
anti-racism work you need to do, you are still not listening.
Ruth
Tyson shared their personal story at UCS. There were pieces of her
narrative I will never fully understand as a fair-skinned Latina woman, but
for many points, I felt as if they could have been in the room with me.
I
want to also recognize that there is still work that I and the Latinx
community have to do, given the Latinx communities’ deep and active history
of its own racism. I also personally believe these accounts can also
resonate with those working for institutions of color, as passed oppressive
& sexist behavior is alive and well.
I
want to be clear, although I am making this specific ask, this does not
replace, but is a part of the anti-racist work, that I hope all of us have
and must continue to do. To unequivocally say that Black Lives Matter and
demand that institutions and leaders that perpetuate white supremacy be
held accountable.
It is your responsibility as those who
represent organizations who want to “grow the movement” are “committed to
equity and diversity” to examine the power and privilege you hold right
where you stand and work every day.
To
those who have worked with me for years, who may think positively of me in
a personal or/or professional sense. I want you to know that I was moved to
tears, but I am so tired I could not express them. I have been
trained and mentored to normalize this behavior, to accept it as a
sacrifice of process, to make my white colleagues feel safe and
unthreatened unless I selectively choose otherwise.
I
feel remorse that at this moment, I personally could not detail my own
story, as Ruth has bravely done. Given that I have unconsciously and
consciously buried my own experiences for so long in order to continue to
do this work or perhaps more simply there are just too many instances to
keep track of.
So
thank you, Ruth, for telling your truth, for having the wisdom and courage
not to bury your pain and to choose joy instead. I hope I can learn from it
and continue to do my work to grow.
Finally,
before you reach out to ask what you can do, I am going to need you to 1. Read Ruths' story and support Ruth
(Info below) 2. Self-reflect on your own privilege and past
behavior 3. Commit to do the work and be specific about your first
actions 4. Please share with the community and your white peers that
you are doing this work and hold them accountable. The BIPOC
community can not do this work for you, just as you learned the policy you
advocate on, learn what you need to do to be anti-racist.
Cashapp:
$payruthtyson
Venmo:
@ruth-tyson
Patreon.com/momentofruth
In
Solidarity & Service,
Amanda
This letter is being shared widely with Ruth's permission.
Please share and support her if it moves you to do so.
Amanda M. Aguirre
COO & Executive Vice President
My Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
----------
Forwarded message ---------
From: GreenLatinos Information < >
Date: Thu, Jun 4, 2020 at 3:07 PM
Subject: [GreenLatinos] Letter: Speaking Truth to Power
From: Ruth
Tyson <\g>
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2020 9:15 AM
To: All Employees <ucsusa.org>
Subject: Farewell <3
Good morning colleagues, comrades, acquaintances,
Today is my last day at UCS. I wrote about the very difficult decision to end this chapter
in my life, and my thoughts on recent tragedies and (some of) UCS' role in
them.
Thank you for all the lessons and allowing me to witness all
of your stories, minds, energies, and beautiful selves. Wondering what's
next for me? Me too! I have no idea, but I plan to spend this summer taking
care of myself. Breathing, releasing, healing. Getting to know and falling
in love with myself and my community again.
If you've ever had a meaningful interaction with me (or have
no idea who I am and would like to get to know me), please consider
subscribing to my newly launched patreon channel. By doing so, you can support my survival as well as
stay connected, experience my art and journey through music and other
expressions along my path.
P.S. took me a lot of emotional labor to write this, and to
endure almost 3 years at this institution, and I am now without income
indefinitely. I invite you to send some compensation if you've learned
anything valuable from me over the years. Or if you would just like to
invest in my wellbeing.
Cashapp: $payruthtyson
Venmo: @ruth-tyson
Patreon.com/momentofruth
To infinity and beyond!
ruth
|
