The recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery are horrific events.
We must look into our hearts and feel emotions we don’t want to feel and look at issues that are uncomfortable and painful. At United Way, we join our community in feeling sadness, anger and disgust.
United Way of Marathon County fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community. We also strive to LIVE UNITED. This term means that we unite people and organizations to improve lives now and into the future. Earlier this year, the 12th edition of the Marathon County LIFE Report was released. This report highlighted Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging as a Call to Action for our community. The report showed, based on the LIFE Survey:
One-third of the survey respondents reported at least one or more experience of discrimination.
Satisfaction with how welcoming the community is has fallen by more than 20 percentage points since 2013.
Fewer than half of survey respondents said they were satisfied with the level of tolerance in the community.
These survey responses are upsetting and require action. Current events only amplify our need to come together as a community, to be better, to listen and learn, be open-minded and make changes that positively impact our entire community. Now more than ever, a Call to Action has never felt more real and necessary to stand up for racial justice. Our communities of color deserve better.
These issues are not easy and can force all of us to push outside of our comfort zone. At this time, as a community, we must act and work together. I hope you join us in the fight for equality, embracing diversity and belonging for everyone in our community.
Jeff Sargent, Executive Director/CEO
