Statement of the National Council on Educating Black Children Regarding the Killing of George Floyd and Support of the Nationwide Protest.
The current nation-wide protests across the nation and around the world in response to the brutal murder by police of George Floyd are appropriate, righteous, humanely moralistic, and consciously justifiable. NCEBC stands in solidarity with the protesters and seek criminal convictions of all police involved in the killing of George Floyd, Ahmad Arbery, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor and many others. NCEBC strongly encourages all members and stakeholders to actively engage and participate in all local, state, national, and international affairs that confront systemic racism, injustice, and brutality that may hinder the lives of all children; and African American children specifically. That which we are currently living and experiencing, that which we have all witnessed, and that which we are all feeling emotionally, as a result of the “modern day lynching of George Floyd” by the police, simply cannot under any circumstances continue. And, this police brutality now at an intersection with the disproportionate deaths and infections of Covid-19 of black people, is unrivaled. To say that we are sickened to our core is a gross and indigestible understatement. All is far from well in our world of existence. The year 2020 has become “the Emmitt Till moment” for this generation -- when enough is enough – and it is evidenced by the peaceful multi-racial, anti-hate, protests throughout America and the world. NCEBC is aligned and offer full and uncompromised support with the struggle. Sharing in that overwhelming pain, we embrace the hope that from out of the shadows of the worse of America we will emerge stronger establishing of goodwill, restorative justice for all, within strong and effective coalitions of the best to defeat the racial division. NCEBC is relieved that all four officers involved in the heinous public murder of George Floyd have been arrested and charged, in the desire and hope that justice will prevail -- justice affirming that Black Lives Matter and that all lives matter. In the midst of the fear, apprehension, angst and uncertainty, NCEBC will continue to pursue and search for what we believe in and is published in our Blueprint for Action and Black Male Action Plan. These include social justice, respect for humanity, peaceful protest, advocating for the best learning and teaching conditions for all black children. We affirm our faith in the words of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, “to perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”. WE MUST NOW MORE THAN EVER MAKE THIS A REALITY FOR OUR CHILDREN....IF NOT US, THEN WHOM? We also hope that the anger of the nation will be transformed into the energy needed to vote in November restoring civility, honesty, decency, unity and trust at the highest levels of government. We must help to change our current climate of disbelief and the encouragement of divisiveness and racial hatred in our land. Our founder, the Honorable Augustus Hawkins believed that, “Day in and day out, in all seasons, WE must work for the practical realization of a better world”. NCEBC will continue to fight for justice, equality and unity. We shall not be moved. We shall not be divided. We shall not faint. We will not quit! Dr. Pamela Short Powell, President National Council on Educating Black Children |
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