The events of the past three weeks have awakened me in ways I could not have predicted. In 2008, I worked tirelessly with the Democratic Party of Williamson County in Franklin, Tennessee to register as many voters as possible. I served wherever I could, helping to set up voter booths all over the county and enjoyed every second of it because it was necessary and significantly important work.
Today it is even more important given what is at stake for the future of this country come November. There is no more room for excuses; we must get to work and ensure that people are registered and that they cast their vote.
Systemic racism is prevalent and exists in every city, state and institution in this country. No arena is immune to it, especially not corporate America. As I’ve spoken to many of you over the past month, we’ve all agreed that it is imperative we do all that we can right where we are to expose this ugly monster until it is destroyed for good. For me, that includes its ever pronounced existence in corporate America where for the past two decades I have often served as the only African American in my position. It was bad enough having to face that reality in the mid-90’s, but it’s an absolute shame that remains the case today, especially given the number of African American men and women who are graduating from accredited universities with outstanding GPAs in every engineering discipline that exists. There is no excuse for it and no one wants to hear it anyway. Systemic racism must end and corporate America has much work to do.
During the protests in Milwaukee, I saw a young white female holding a sign that said “I will never fully understand; that’s why I’m taking a stand.” Well said and I urge everyone to take a stand and help us fight this fight wherever you live, wherever you work, wherever you worship, wherever you socialize, and of course, wherever you breathe.
Bridget