The Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations is dedicated to improving the health of communities through excellence in nursing education, practice, leadership, and research. We denounce Racism and are committed to inclusion, diversity, and equity in our work. We strive to create innovative models for public health nursing practice, identify and support the emerging roles of public health nurses, and develop leadership skills for public health nurses at all levels. Racism is a Public Health Issue. To undo Racism, we must ask the hard questions, engage in hard dialogue, and sustain the hard work to rid our society of this horrible system, which robs people of their vitality, their livelihood, and too often, their very lives. Join us as we share how we can all be a part of the solution in our varied ways. Here are a few suggested ways to begin conversations and work on undoing Racism:
- Remember to address issues – not individuals. Read, learn, grow. Identify and Speak Up when you see Racism at play.
- Be honest with yourself. What is your level of understanding about what is happening? How much time are you willing to commit? Do you have the personal commitment and desire to see things all the way through until the end?
- What are your strengths? Volunteer where your strengths lie. Not everyone can demonstrate or protest.
- Contribute to peace-building activities that will need to happen consistently.
- Exercise your right to vote and encourage others to do so. Commit to civic engagement at all levels.
- Talk to all children. Protect them, but also be honest. Many teachable moments are happening all around us.
- Own your own privilege and leverage it for justice’s sake.
- Engage with partners, faith-based organizations, non-profits, etc.
SPEAK UP Against Racism
(source: Bingham, Debra, SPEAK UP For black women; Institute for Perinatal Quality Improvement ,2020, www.perinatalqi.org/default.aspx)
