Washington, DC (August 17, 2017) BWHI stands against any kind of racism, bigotry, and intolerance, as was evidenced in the hate filled violence last week in Charlottesville, Virginia. We offer our condolences to the family of Heather Heyer, a young woman who attended the rally to stand in support of the marginalized, and against the long tentacles of hate. This young woman was killed because she stood up for equity and fairness. As her mother, Susan Bro, said, in a speech at Heather’s memorial service, “They killed my child because they wanted to shut her up.” We at BWHI agree, and we won’t be silenced, either.
Health goes so much deeper than the individual. It is about the community, the region and the country. These violent assaults on a fair and equitable America that has a place and a space for all of us, are not healthy and are not acceptable. The fight for health equity cannot happen without a country of allies that values the health and wellbeing of all of its residents.
BWHI has been a standard bearer for the health of Black women. It is the essence of our mission. And we value the equity that lifts up ALL. We encourage others to join us in standing firmly, fearlessly and resolutely against any kind of bigotry and racism, whether it is at the personal, community or institutional level. Join us in boldly speaking truth on health equity, access to care, and safe communities for the good of us all.