A Black History Month Statement From the Firm's Founder
February is Black History Month, but it shouldn't be the only month we recognize black history. Black history is a quintessential part of America’s history.
Black lives matter. And, the real black history matters.
Sanitizing and whitewashing slavery, death, racism, and yes microaggressions into pretty, shortened, idealized, cherry-picked stories (if they are even told at all) is not only vile and ruthless, it is counterproductive. It must end.
Black people not only built our country (figuratively and literally), they are still building it. Through 400 years of oppression, black people have maintained resilience by means of hard work, courage, strength, faith, music and art, deadening numbness, or some combo of these. It is frankly not their responsibility, nor should it ever be their burden to educate us; or to guide us to “a better way.”
We must recognize our privilege, reflect on our implicit and explicit biases, acknowledge the pain we have caused by our actions (past and present), read, and do the work. The actual, real work. This entails speaking up instead of being silent during witnessed oppression. This means evaluating your business and personal processes, relationships, and hiring choices even if it means having tough conversations. Deep-rooted issues require deep-rooted (not surface level or superficial) problem solving methods.
Quotes and temporary performative, lip service solutions are cute but they must be met by actual, durational progress. This work includes empowering access and representation in role, voice, and, yes- actual decision making.
As a firm, we not only believe that community and business building go hand in hand, we provide and will continue to provide “community business law for everyone in the community.” I shall repeat for the people in the back--”everyone”. We are incredibly blessed to have clients of every race, gender, sexuality, and socio-economic background.
We will have days where we don’t say or do the right thing. For example, as I’m writing this, I have no clue if the words are right, if the content is misled, or if it will be received in one way or another. While I have a boyfriend and am more multicultural than most, the truth is that I am privileged. I present as a cis-gendered white male in a society that awards me and punishes others just for the way they look.
I’m sending this email because I want you to know that 1. Our firm will always take diversity, inclusion, and equity matters seriously and place them at the forefront of what we do. 2. We are committed to not only listening and learning, but to changing 3. We will continue to not only share community events and programs that further progress, we will partner with organizations who align with our values. And let’s be clear, hate is not a valid value or difference of opinion. Civil rights are not debatable regardless of political party affiliation. Our values are premised on science, facts, and yes...love.
I close this email by challenging you to strive for unity that isn’t devoid of accountability. I challenge you to assess how you can help rid society of systematic and institutionalized racism, however small or large your actions may be.
And, I challenge you to find new and important ways of walking arm in arm with our brothers and sisters. Let's all get into that good trouble...together.
-Michael Jonas
Owner/Principal Attorney