ASC Statement on Systemic Racism and Injustice
America’s Service Commissions stands in solidarity with our nation’s Black community and all who are grieving the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many others.
Black lives matter. Collectively, we cannot fully do the work of strengthening communities and ending the gaps in our country’s education, healthcare, and economy until systemic racism is dismantled from our institutional and cultural systems.
There is so much work to do to get there. ASC is committed to listening and learning from Black voices and other communities of color as we walk forward on the path to equity, inclusion, safety, and freedom. We will do this through continued dialogue, training, coaching, feedback, and empowering voices that are often silenced to speak. We will take action and advocate for policies that will advance equity for Black people and communities of color.
To all ASC members, state service commissions, national service programs and AmeriCorps members, we hope you will join with us to listen, learn, and lead. We are here to support you and learn with you.
In the words of one of our state service commission directors and our Vice Chair,* “Service is not the full solution, but service builds bridges, seeks common ground, strengthens communities. Service has healing power, both for those who serve and for those who are served.”
Let’s continue to rise up in service together.
*Used with permission from Maureen Eccleston, Executive Director, PennSERVE.
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