The following is a statement from CAAFA’s Executive Director, Ray Villa: I was a police officer for 21 years. As I witness the protests across our country, by people of all walks of life, in support of black Americans who have not been given equal opportunity but rather have been limited by systemic injustice, I know their voices need to be heard. A dialogue must begin that allows for healing and forgiveness as well as commitment to long-lasting change. Racism is not an attribute we are born with. It is a learned belief, which in turn drives unacceptable behavior. Thanks to the latest research in neuroscience, I know people can change their beliefs and learn new behaviors. However, as I have learned, it is exceedingly difficult for someone of privilege to truly grasp how pervasively racism is manifested. Nonetheless, we must dedicate the time and energy to truly understand the dimensions of racism and how it permeates all aspects of our thinking and, subsequently, the systems we have created. I also know that changing beliefs and learning new behaviors does not happen immediately. Changing systems that have repressed people for so long does not happen overnight. However, the journey must begin somewhere, and we must be more than willing to do our part. We must therefore change our hearts, before we can change our minds and behaviors. Ray Villa
Executive Director
CAAFA
Chrysalis Family, While our mission is focused on stopping terror in the home, our broader work is aimed at a violence-free world. We want to keep people safe. All people safe – regardless of race. We denounce racism, injustice and violence in all its forms. At Chrysalis, our belief is simple: No abuse is okay. To all those we serve, our staff and our community at large, we are listening. We see you. We respect you. We know things have to change. We are educating ourselves, and working on broad-based solutions using our Trauma Informed lens. And while we don’t have many of the answers today, we are committed to ending all systems of violence and oppression. We invite your feedback. Join us in taking a stand that no abuse is okay. Patricia Klahr #noabuseIsokay
President/CEO
#blacklivesmatter
Many individuals who use Emerge’s services are also part of communities where their experiences of abuse are embedded in daily struggles to be valued as human beings. We believe that humanizing the experience of all people shouldn’t be a radical act, but a basic standard for all people who seek our services and the services of any organization and institution in our community. The killing of George Floyd reminds us of how violence against the Black Community is embedded in a history of anti-blackness in our society. This permeates our everyday lives and consequently permeates our work as a service provider. We must acknowledge that the root causes of domestic abuse are embedded in multiple, intersecting systemic oppressions, like anti-blackness, sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, classism/poverty, able-ism, and anti-immigrant sentiment (xenophobia) – even when that includes facing and acknowledging our own harmful beliefs and behaviors. Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse has been in an organizational process of transforming philosophy and practice to be a part of building systems and spaces that acknowledge the humanity and worth of every human being in our community. We extend our condolences to the family of George Floyd, the community of Minneapolis, and the many other families and communities that have been harmed by the fierce loyalty to belief systems that support violence and the dehumanization of Black people.