If we have learned anything over the recent weeks of demonstrations and civil action, it is that silence itself is a message. At FCP, we trade in words, yet our team is struggling with the words to meet this moment. But we’ve learned that the only truly incorrect action is to say nothing and do nothing when racial justice and equity are on the line.
We believe Black Lives Matter.
George Floyd was someone’s child. He was someone’s father. His life mattered. So did the life of Breonna Taylor. So did the life of Ahmaud Arbery. Oscar Grant III. Sean Monterrosa. Willie McCoy. Stephon Clark. Eric Garner. Atatiana Jefferson. Trayvon Martin. Christopher Davis. Marco Loud. Philando Castile. Michael Brown. Walter Scott. Laquan McDonald. Tanisha Anderson. Tamir Rice. And countless others.
We know that the problems of police brutality and systemic racism are deeply rooted in our country and culture. It will take far more than words to address our challenges.
At FCP, we have our own work to do to promote racial justice and equity in our organization, among our clients, and in our field of communications. I recognize that in ways obvious and not, we have drawn benefit from our privilege across our two decades in business. We are committed to continually educating ourselves, updating our practices, and gaining a better understanding of the systemic racism that has impacted so many in our beloved community of Oakland and the nation.
In the Jewish tradition, we learn from a book called “The Sayings of our Fathers,” including the following attributed to Rabbi Tarfon. “It is not your responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the world, but you are not free to desist from it either.”
There is work to be done to perfect our nation. We are committed to doing this work and contributing to this fight for equity and justice. We will do better. We must.
Yours,
Dan Cohen,
Full Court Press Communications