Dear Colleagues,
For many of us, we’ve been reflecting deeply about the ongoing protests in our communities in response to racial injustice and inequities for Black Americans. The statement from our Lab leadership highlighted the suffering in our communities, and a call to action for making change.
In the past week, many of our Lab colleagues have asked how can they help; how can they add their voice to the call for change. Adding your voice is a good step, but in order to change attitudes and beliefs, we need to look inward to understand our own actions, inactions, and assumptions.
The best way to do that, as a first step, is to educate yourself. Read. Listen to podcasts. Watch documentaries. Attend organized events where you can listen and learn from the experience of others.
There are two sessions on Monday, June 8th, I’d like to recommend. The first is a session, “Race and Policing”, hosted by Berkeley Law. It will be livestreamed from 12:50 p.m. to 2 p.m. The second is “Rise Up for Justice: Black Lives and Our Collective Future” hosted by the Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Two of the featured speakers are from Berkeley at this national live stream session.
Change is difficult. It takes hard work. It takes dedication. Please consider taking time to attend one or both of these sessions as the first step in your commitment to change.
Lady Idos
Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
Berkeley Lab
