June, 2020 - BUFI

A CALL TO ACTION! – A Letter from The BUFI Executive Director, Carolyn Day

Jun 6, 2020 | News, Uncategorized

A Letter from The BUFI Executive Director, Carolyn Day

As I hear the chants, “no justice, no peace,” I weep from being a witness to constant injustices in education, employment, healthcare, and in neighborhoods throughout the entire city. As children, we were told stories about various civil rights organizations and the movement during the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Being socially responsible and a change agent, I like many others deliberately try to fulfill cultural commitments. We engage in policy reform and passionately mentor, encourage the youth to dream and plan their lives. We educate that voting is an American right and also promises a change for new opportunities. Yet, in 2020 the yelling of ‘Black Lives Matters’ wails for peace, justice and equality.

We can’t continue to fall prey to the systemic algorithms that pivot traps specifically for African Americans. We must demand change by operating at a higher strategic and well organized level. Destroying properties and looting weakens our collaborative resources. It perpetuates the image of us not being intellectual. In fact, that is the total opposite. We are brilliant and extremely talented and skilled. Our words, talents and skills have been chronically paralyzed by the years of horrific trauma! We have millions of witnesses via world media sources and still no restitution.

I too, would have never thought after marching down Michigan Avenue with my 72 year old mother a few years ago, that we would be in this same state again. Only to be in denial that we were all on a yellow brick road looking for justice-the Wizard of Oz. Which has portrayed African Americans as characters in an ongoing film documentary. However, we can’t give up hope that justice and accountability may be served on the same day in court. It will happen and we will write, direct, film, dance and score the truth about African American history during this decade.

The Black United Fund of Illinois (BUFI) stands collectively with local and national organizations’ call to action. We urge you to join in the request to call and write Mayor Lightfoot, county commissioners, Illinois State officials and congressional representatives. Let them know that we expect justice and we expect accountability. Put your emotions in writing, let them know that collectively we will not ‘sanction the appointment and confirmation of judges who do not uphold constitutional protections for all citizens. Let those in power know that collectively we no longer accept that being black while jogging, shopping, or just sleeping in our home should end in death.’

As the struggle continues, my heart weeps that one day soon we will be singing songs of triumph. No threats of pandemics, families worrying about their black male relatives walking or driving while black. Until that day, let us keep calm, level headed and vote in November 2020. (for writing templates please email: executivedirector@bufi.org)

In Solidarity,