Semester in the City: BLM Statement

This is an adapted email that we sent our alumni a few weeks ago in regards to the movement that is currently taking place, and the role we play as a social justice organization.

Dear Semester in the City Alumni,

We know last week has been particularly difficult for many of you, as it has been for our staff and communities, in Boston and nationwide. Our feelings of grief, anger, sorrow, fear, and numbness, to name a few, cycle through in quick succession. All this on top of an international pandemic that has ended more than 100,000 lives and destroyed more than 40 million jobs — disproportionally for people of color and low-income people — while also distancing us, in real life and metaphorically.

At CFSI, as a social justice-oriented organization, we are deeply impacted by our nation’s 400-year legacy of violent racism and white supremacy, highlighted most immediately by the police killing of George Floyd and the days of protest and revolution that have followed. CFSI aspires to be a place of hope, where transformation occurs and potential is realized. The events of the last week — and recent months and years — make clear we must continually advance our anti-racism work and our own ability to educate and inspire the next generation of problem-solvers for humanity’s tough challenges. Stay tuned as we develop and update our organizational plans to advance DEI within our office, SITC, and our Boston community. 

When you joined us as a Semester in the City Fellow you took a small step toward a life as a problem solver and changemaker for justice. Thank you.  The world needs more of you.  And while the Semester in the City experience is just 15 weeks long, our hope has always been to stay connected to you for a lifetime and to facilitate opportunities for mutual support and learning. 

With all of this in mind, we are offering a few resources and a listening ear.

  • For any of you who would like to join an optional open space for CFSI alumni to come together and unpack how we and you are thinking and feeling about what is happening in our nation, we are organizing this facilitated ZOOM session next Monday from 4 to 5 PM EST. 

  • For any of you who would like to share ideas one-to-one on what more CFSI can do to advance the cause of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion or would like help processing your own feelings and ideas on what to do, request a call with a member of our team by responding to this email. Please say if you would specifically like to talk with a white staff member or a staff member of color.

  • For those of you — especially white people — looking for what we/you can do to end white supremacy and racism there have been many great resources posted recently. Here are a few if you’re looking for a place to start:

  • Stay tuned for plans for a ZOOM SITC reunion later this summer and in-person reunion opportunities when public health guidelines allow for that. 

We see and celebrate the powerful work that you and others are doing and will do to spread love and care and to work for systemic change and a more just world. Be heard. And, take care of yourselves. 

— The CFSI staff team: Eric Schwarz, Marissa Rodriguez, Kiyo Gomi, Ilona Drew, Molly O’Shea, Stephanie Morales, Devon Cruz, Bethany Kaminsky, Edith Buhs, Lily Sargeant, Ellie Carver, Ashley van Edema, Andreana Nop, Karen Porl

 

#BlackLivesMatter

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