In the wake of George Floyd’s tragic death, and the atrocity that this situation represents, there is an opportunity – or rather, an imperative – for each of us to engage in earnest reflection. Reflection regarding not only the circumstances within our nation that allow such inexcusable injustices to occur, but reflection also regarding ourselves, our organizations and our communities and the responsibility we collectively have.
It presents an opportunity for each of us to challenge ourselves, and those around us, to commit to an intentional and unwavering effort to do our part to address the circumstances that contribute to, or that passively allow for, intolerance, discrimination, marginalization and bigotry. It additionally presents an opportunity for us to recognize that we have a responsibility to acknowledge and address these underlying issues, and that it is only through all of us doing so that constructive change will be possible.
Whether it be based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or any of the other characteristics that differentiate one of us from the other, it is our responsibility to assert, through our actions and our words, that we will not tolerate intolerance. That “acceptance” of differences is not enough. And that we have a basic responsibility to treat one another with dignity and respect, and to ensure that the social structures within our communities and nation do the same.
At Frontier Behavioral Health, we are an organization that is committed to serving individuals who are oftentimes marginalized and discriminated against. In so doing, we are committed to continuously working to deepen our understanding of the diverse populations we are here to serve, and to participate in and advocate for changes that will address the underlying issues that allow for marginalization and inequities to persist.
Jeff Thomas, CEO