KCSDV Statement on Racial Injustices

On this National Day of Mourning, the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV) is in solidarity with the millions of people marching and protesting for change.

Racism did not begin yesterday, last week, or last year. Racism has been woven into America’s fabric by slavery and segregation, extermination of the indigenous peoples of the continent, and enslavement and trafficking of people who came here from Asia, Central America, Africa, and other parts of the world. This violence continues today. Racism has guided the development of laws, policies, and practices in every system of our nation. We cannot turn our eyes away from our history. We must work together to radically change these racist systems and the discrimination they continue to cause not only in our justice systems, but also in our health care systems, education systems, social service systems, and economic systems.  We urge Kansans to join with us in naming the racism that haunts our society and to work together to undo and eradicate these social injustices.

Thank you to all the people who are taking action for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others murdered in our country’s most recent incidents of racism and abuse of power. We know these incidents are only the most recent headlines – there have been so many more. We are with you.

Thank you to the leaders from communities of color who continue to push and educate white people and urge a reweaving and rending of this fabric of hate. We are with you and committed to the change.

To the survivors and advocates that are Black and people of color, we are with you. You are loved and respected.

KCSDV deeply believes that domestic violence and sexual assault are rooted in racism. We know people of color are disproportionately impacted by this violence both because we live in a racist society and because resources are unavailable or inadequate for so many communities. We are committed to change.

KCSDV is committed to ending oppression in all its forms. Ending racism is our mission. We cannot end domestic violence and sexual assault without ending racism and oppression. We are in solidarity with all who are working for a new world.

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