We are heartbroken over the senseless murder of Mr. George Floyd.
We grieve for his family and friends. We recognize the deep pain felt within the Black community and by all who endure acts of violence based on prejudice, and we stand with people of all racial backgrounds who call for community healing and accountability.
As we physically distance ourselves to keep one another safe during this global pandemic, we recognize that long before Covid, some have never felt safe to move freely within their community. This fear is rooted in our country’s history of institutional and systemic racism, perpetuated by policies, practices, and cultural norms. We are committed to working in partnership with others to build a future where the color of our skin does not determine life outcomes and where every person is equally valued.
Equity is a core value of the McKnight Foundation. What happened this week painfully reminds us of the urgent need for our grantmaking and investments to advance a more equitable, inclusive Minnesota and our ongoing support for meaningful systems change. We salute our public leaders and many grantee partners for responding to yet another trauma in the community while already under enormous stress.
Our state is stronger when we recognize our shared humanity, and we are all better off when we see and treat people first as our neighbors and fellow community members. Together, we must persevere in our efforts until all can thrive.
