A recent message from our CEO, Parsa Rohani, to Neudesic employees:
It is up to each of us.
I have been watching with a sense of helplessness, fear, and anger at the events of the past few days. I am sure you all have experienced similar feelings as well. Something has been wrong for a long time.
Frankly, it is easy to say that the system has failed, or that there are just a few bad apples. But that’s the wrong way out. The system is made up of each of us. We have failed each other. The senseless loss of George Floyd is not an exception, but rather a pattern that has been there, and is now becoming more and more exposed. Unfortunately, I’m afraid George will not be the last.
Injustice and inequality take many forms and are not just going to go away on their own. Racism is like cancer; it must be eradicated otherwise it will just keep rearing its ugly head. Not being a racist is not enough. We must ensure that racism in any form is not tolerated.
But even that’s not enough! We must work on the root causes that result in creating a society that harbors such ugly sentiments.
We need a socially diverse, inclusive and economically just world. No racism, no bigotry. Instead, kindness, compassion, humanity, and equal opportunity where everyone is respected, appreciated and able to be themselves. A bright, hopeful future can only then be achieved.
So how are we going to tackle such a massive problem? These problems won’t be solved overnight, but we have an opportunity now to reflect, think and do things differently. We must each ask ourselves: “What am I doing about it?”
Here are some of the things I am going to do personally to proactively bring about change. I am getting involved with my local city council and police department to understand their track record as well as their policies and procedures. I am reassessing where my family’s charitable contributions go. I will be talking to my children’s school to understand their policies and programs to create diversity and access. I am going to ask my local members of Congress about what their policy agenda is, specifically with regard to social justice. I will get involved and spend time with non-profit organizations to help, gain experience, and see/feel the problems first-hand. I’m sure there are many other things I can do, and I will learn along the way.
I encourage each of you to reflect on the question “What am I doing about it” and become proactive in your own way. Change will not come about by being angry, sad or fearful. It requires action.
Beginning next week, we are going to establish a committee at Neudesic to look into how we can get involved and bring about change for the better. We will be asking you to either participate and/or provide feedback into the process.
We will initially be focusing on identifying and engaging:
- Organizations/nonprofits that we can provide funding to
- Non-profits that we can provide services to
- Non-profits where we can volunteer
- Scholarships at High Schools and Universities
- Identifying political and civic leaders across our communities to engage with
I will change my own approach to demanding and getting justice for all and rooting out racism. Neudesic will, with your help, engage at multiple levels to help bring about positive change.
So again, I humbly ask that you do the same. There is hope from this despair. It is up to each of us. We must do our part proactively and not be spectators. Ask yourself, “What am I doing about it?”
Thank You