Members of Covenant of
the Goddess (CoG) were invited to form a committee to draft a new statement
regarding the #blacklivesmatter issue. The committee was formed after
comments that some members felt the Board's original statement did not go far enough
in addressing the issue. A small group of concerned members crafted the
statement below, and the National Board felt it was important to
publicly share the work done by this committee.
In order to allow the
membership of CoG a chance to have input on this new statement, it was released
internally on our organization's e-mail list last week. The membership
will have the opportunity to review, revise, and adopt it as a statement made
by the entire organization at the annual meeting in August 2015.
* *
* * * *
Black Lives Matter to the Covenant of the
Goddess and this statement represents our effort to hear, see, and say this.
CoG is appalled at the mistreatment and killings of Black
Americans and others in extrajudicial actions, such as Eric Garner
and 7 year-old Ayana Jones. Systemic racism in our justice system and an unmet
need to see, hear, and respond to the experiences of People of Color in our
country are resulting in non-indictments for even excessive use of
force. For such males as Trayvon Martin and Mike Brown; women like Rekia
Boyd, Shereese Francis, and Yvette Smith; and children like Tamir Rice, though
their lives were lost their lives matter to us. These few represent the many
other Black men, women and children who face and fear similar violence and
outcomes everyday.
It is time to hear what Blacks are saying: that
they are not treated the same as the majority. Blacks deserve due process under
the law which everyone else takes for granted. Law enforcement officers who
breach the public trust must be held accountable. More effective communication
between communities of color and every part of our justice system is long
overdue and necessary for real changes to manifest.
Witches and Wiccans of Color specifically
deserve, and have, our support and respect, as CoG's members are Witches and
Wiccans of every race, into whose purview fall issues of human justice. We are
weavers of change and can choose a role in changing the experiences of People
of Color in our communities and our country.
CoG urges our members and communities to take
action. Ask People of Color about their experiences. Listen fully to what is
being said. Write letters to elected officials, local law enforcement, state
and US attorneys, and editors of local media to share your concerns. Stand in
solidarity with CoG's Members of Color and our communities' Pagans of Color in
peaceful demonstrations to end these inequities. At the same time, we decry
actions which only serve further racism and injustice for anyone.
We all need to "Step up" to speak for
the need for change, then "Step back" to hear Black and minority
voices. Each person must follow her or his own heart in order for our society
to peacefully evolve and right these wrongs.
One of the most powerful ways to help is to be
informed. Below are a few links where you can deepen your knowledge and
understanding of these issues, the challenges faced by those living Black in
America, and discover creative ways to support the movement.
http://thisisthemovement.launchrock.com - weekly
newsletter
CoG supports efforts to speak out for social
justice, and we say, “Black Lives Matter."
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