As leaders of a learning organization, Room to Read’s Board of Directors, leadership team and staff have been thoughtfully listening and processing the recent events in the U.S. and the wave of response to George Floyd’s death, and countless other Black lives senselessly lost, in cities around the world. A collective voice is calling for racial justice and social reform in support of the Black community. Room to Read stands in solidarity with this movement as a 20-year advocate for change on behalf of disenfranchised, marginalized and oppressed populations across the globe.
We believe unapologetically that Black Lives Matter. We believe in equality for people of all races, religions, sexual orientations, cultures, ages and genders.
We need to dedicate ourselves to building systems that embrace the gifts of all humanity and to dismantling systems of discrimination. Room to Read will continue to listen to the experiences of those at the forefront of the justice movements, reflect on how our organizational values and practices combat discrimination, and act responsibly as a member of the international development community.
At our core, Room to Read stands for equality, diversity and inclusivity. We seek to effect systemic change and build a fair and equitable world through the power of education. We know that many of you are searching for ways to cope and, more importantly, take action to repair what is broken in our society. We have found the below resources helpful in our own journey of reflection, and we hope they educate and inspire you as a like-minded changemaker.
"Diverse books are bridges to embracing our differences," op-ed by Christabel Pinto
"Books can rewire our brains, and connect us all," op-ed by Geetha Murali
Anti-Racist Reading List from Ibram X. Kendi
These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids, The New York Times
Anti-racist books for children and teens, The Guardian
In solidarity,
Mary Byron
Room to Read Board Chair