I would like to take this opportunity to briefly address the global civil unrest spawned by the murder of George Floyd in the U.S. by a Minneapolis police officer. When looking at this event in isolation, it was the murder by a police officer of another human being that he was sworn to protect (while two other officers looked on). That event, in and of itself, is significant and horrific. The system that allowed this to occur is seriously flawed and has been for centuries.
“System,” in this context, does not simply refer to the norms under which police behave (although there are certainly problems there). It’s much bigger than that. It is the system that perpetuates racism by interweaving unfounded fears, beliefs, and values into the culture of the people. From birth, racism is taught and reinforced through various unhealthy practices, of which, many white people are completely unaware. How do I know this? I am a white man who grew up with white privilege. I was taught right from wrong. I was taught to treat people equally and with respect. I was taught that Black people’s lives are just as valuable as mine. I was taught that we are all the same in the eyes of God. Even with all of this, I was completely unaware that racism had, in fact, influenced me, my beliefs, and the way I saw others.
My eyes were only opened when I met my wife, Debbie, who is half Chinese. All minorities in America experience some level of discrimination, and she is no exception. She helped me to understand how some of the thoughts and beliefs that I held contributed to the oppression of others. She helped me to understand how I had more opportunities as a white man in America than any other race or gender on the planet. She helped me to understand how we are all influenced by good and bad and that we need to be on the lookout for both. By no means do I think I’ve learned everything, but I know that I am much more aware and believe that I am a better person because of this awareness.
Every human being matters. So, why distinguish Black Lives?
Black people in the U.S. are born with the odds unfairly stacked against them. It has been this way since before the formation of the United States in 1776. Slavery, in what ultimately became the United States, actually dates back to 1619. That’s 401 years of systemic racism on our continent. According to a study by Columbia University, African Americans are six times more likely than white Americans to die at the hands of a murderer. In 2014, the NAACP noted that African Americans comprised 34% of the total population in correctional facilities, yet they only made up 13% of the total population. These numbers are the direct result of a racist system that oppresses Black people. Thus, Black Lives are the focus. And this is why promoting any other color lives is a distraction from the biggest issue: systemic racism towards Black people.
As a child of white privilege, I was taught that if I was ever in trouble, or if I ever needed help, that I could go to the police and they would help me. The advice was unequivocal. My parents were 100% confident that I would be protected by the police. Black people in the U.S. are not afforded this same benefit.
Some of you know that my oldest son, Jake (14 years old), was adopted from Ethiopia and was brought home when he was 3 months old. He is Black. I cannot teach him to go to the police if he needs help. Instead, I must teach him how to survive interactions with the police. I try to explain to Jake how people will fear him simply because he is Black. I try to explain how to recognize racism. I try to explain the importance of being nice and respectful and non-confrontational to everyone. He is 14, so he doesn’t always listen. It worries me.
I tell you all of this to put context around how my personal experience and background influences OnQ culture. I hope that it gives you a deeper understanding of who I am and what kind of company we strive to be. OnQ is an inclusive company at its core. We do not discriminate, nor do we tolerate discrimination, based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We help each other succeed. We strive towards common goals. And we embrace our differences.
OnQ acknowledges the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement and believes that peaceful protests are an important part in drawing attention to racism and the plight of Black people in America and around the world. We also believe this movement has the ability to strengthen relationships and understanding between all races. The Black Lives Matter movement has gained global momentum, and we are enheartened by this.
Jack McBride
Chief Executive Officer
