The Subscribed Weekly newsletter is about the future, and one thing we can all agree on is a future where injustice no longer exists.
That’s why what is going on right now is so important. At the heart of the current social protests, and the entire Black Lives Matter movement, is a plea to recognize that when a segment of our community is facing structural injustice, we all have a responsibility to hear their voices, and stand up against that injustice. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
This week, in lieu of sharing our observations of where our future is headed, I would like to share a few of these voices, and ask everyone to hear the message behind these words.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: “I don’t want to see stores looted or even buildings burn. But African Americans have been living in a burning building for many years, choking on the smoke as the flames burn closer and closer. Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible — even if you’re choking on it — until you let the sun in. Then you see it’s everywhere. As long as we keep shining that light, we have a chance of cleaning it wherever it lands. But we have to stay vigilant, because it’s always still in the air.” — From The L.A. Times
Ellie Jelic: “For all the people who express the desire for allyship, I hope you will continue to hold our hands when it may be uncomfortable, when it may be unfavorable, and when it may stop trending. I hope you will not only hold our hands, but take the steps to educate, support, and fight injustice.” — Zuora Office Manager
Clara Amfo: “You really want that utopian ideal of what our world could be? You want to be proudly and ACTIVELY anti-racist, more than fearing being called a racist? I want that for you too. If so, then do the work, educate yourself and others, stand by us loudly, consistently, FOREVER.” — From BBC Radio 1
Charles Jones: “We can have empathy for those who feel that their voice is not being heard by peace, and still have empathy for the police. Instead of calling for destruction to stop…. call for police shootings to stop, call for police to be arrested when they commit murders. Don’t focus on the effect, but focus on the cause and the why and then you can have empathy. The fact is we all want solutions for these problems. Our goal is to start dialogue to facilitate the change in a positive direction.” — Zuora Global Services Manager
Michelle Obama: “But if we ever hope to move past it, it can’t just be on people of color to deal with it. It’s up to all of us — Black, white, everyone — no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out. It starts with self-examination and listening to those whose lives are different from our own. It ends with justice, compassion, and empathy that manifests in our lives and on our streets.”
Andre Iguodala: “You have to take it as a challenge. The alternative is too dark and too scary. This country is designed to wreak absolute havoc on the confidence of black people. You grow up learning over and over again about how people like you have been murdered and enslaved, and how they continue to be. You want to tell yourself that it’s over and that that’s not going to happen to you. But there are little moments all day long that come out of nowhere and remind you that you’re not in charge and that the people in charge don’t like you, and so you can never be 100 percent safe.” — From his book The Sixth Man
Anthony Jenkins: “This movement is not about making things better for Black America – it’s about making things better for All America. But, it will require all hearts and voices aligning in harmony to bring about that change.” — Zuora Customer Support Specialist
Martin Luther King, Jr: “There comes a time when silence is betrayal.” “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
It’s time we all unequivocally stand with the Black Lives Matter movement. Individually and collectively, we must stand up against injustice, we must condemn intolerance. Systemic racism must be fought. Awareness, understanding, and empathy for these injustices must happen before meaningful, deliberate change can occur. Now more than ever we must support one another as allies.
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Disclosure: These opinions expressed are mine, but in this case, they are also of the company. The companies mentioned in this newsletter are not necessarily Zuora customers.