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A Message to Our Community
As Square One prepares to welcome children back to our centers, our hearts are heavy. Not only are we feeling the stress and concern that comes with adhering to the “new normal” brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, but our emotions are heightened to the utmost degree by the despicable acts of racially charged violence plaguing our country.
We are deeply saddened and outraged by the horrific murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, as well as the countless other men, women and children who have experienced hateful acts of racism.
The atrocities of these recent murders have once again reminded us of the rampant injustice that comes from our nation’s institutionalized racism; and the privileges that come with being white. We at Square One pledge to use our voices and our influence to address the cruelty and denial of human dignity that black people endure regularly. We can do better. We will do better.
In recent conversations, we have been asked for our thoughts on how we should explain this crisis to our children; and what resources are available to support parents and educators as they work to shape the young minds of tomorrow’s leaders. Our partners at the Children’s Trust of Massachusetts issued a list of resources to lend a hand during this difficult time:
- Teaching Tolerance
- What do we tell our Children?– USA Today
- How to Talk to Children About Protests and Racism– CNN
- How to Wipe Out Prejudices Before They Start– Parents
· These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids – NY Times
In addition, please check the Square One Facebook page, as we have been actively sharing events and opportunities to support our families during this painful time.
As we continue to navigate these rough waters, we at Square One pledge to be a part of the solution and will work actively to support racial justice, awareness and peace. We promise to speak out and use our influence to affect change and promote our deep-seeded values of diversity, justice and equity for all.