Syard Evans, PhD

Over the past year, with a significant escalation in the last few months, we've watched powerful entities throughout the United States announce their abandonment of intentional work to support and empower inclusion and diversity within their organizations and our communities.

Now, more than ever, is the time to show up and be intentional. Now is the time to double down.

Over the past year, with a significant escalation in the last few months, we've watched powerful entities throughout the United States announce their abandonment of intentional work to support and empower inclusion and diversity within their organizations and our communities.

What are you doing? What are you going to do?

Over the past year, with a significant escalation in the last few months, we've watched powerful entities throughout the United States announce their abandonment of intentional work to support and empower inclusion and diversity within their organizations and our communities.

People with characteristics of power in systems of oppression are either actively working against the oppressive systems, or they are perpetuating them. No action (or inaction) is neutral for those of us with power and influence.

Over the past year, with a significant escalation in the last few months, we've watched powerful entities throughout the United States announce their abandonment of intentional work to support and empower inclusion and diversity within their organizations and our communities.

Will you still think that when the worst consequences come, so long as they don't touch you directly? What if they do reach you or people you love?

Over the past year, with a significant escalation in the last few months, we've watched powerful entities throughout the United States announce their abandonment of intentional work to support and empower inclusion and diversity within their organizations and our communities.

Unfortunately, a lot of hurt and harm will occur as we wait for the pendulum to reverse and return to aim at the path of honoring shared humanity and working to dismantle systems of oppression.

Over the past year, with a significant escalation in the last few months, we've watched powerful entities throughout the United States announce their abandonment of intentional work to support and empower inclusion and diversity within their organizations and our communities.

A hedging of bets, if you will.

This amazing human is 22 years old today. This birthday, like most things have been in the last few weeks, will be difficult, but there is, and always has been, so much to celebrate - so much joy - when it comes to Ree.

A message for all people possessing characteristics of power in oppressive systems, but especially for white women right now:

You are not the expert here. You know nothing of surviving oppression and necessary coalition building. You've never had to learn those lessons, and they were never taught to you. In fact, you were taught the opposite, that you have a right to comfort, regardless of the condition of the world.

A message for all people possessing characteristics of power in oppressive systems, but especially for white women right now:

I'm not saying don't do the work that has to be done by all of us to get through this, but you will have to own your responsibilities in all of this in order for us to ever have a chance to build the kind of community that will save anyone.

A message for all people possessing characteristics of power in oppressive systems, but especially for white women right now: