Every day, all over the world, humans are doing something compassionate for companion animals. Some of those individuals are elderly, some are home insecure, and many don’t look like traditional Hollywood heroes. The animals being rescued, fed, and healed know help comes in different shapes and sizes. They know love can’t be seen from the outside. My enduring hope is that we learn to be as humane as the companion animals around us.

Position: 

CARE strongly opposes policy that would have the effect of silencing discussions around the lived experiences of BIPOC and other marginalized individuals and communities. 

Background

Critical Race Theory, an academic and legal framework for understanding systemic racism in American society, has recently become a hot topic in the news.  As evidenced by the passage of legislation throughout our country, the concept has been manipulated and misinterpreted to promote the suppression of the history of racism in America in K-12 classrooms and beyond.  Additionally, broader concepts around racial equity, diversity, and inclusion are also subject to prohibition in schools and workplaces under such legislation.  So-called ‘anti-critical race theory’ legislation silences the teaching of factual and historical events, often imposing harsh penalties on those who foster discussions on such topics and concepts.  These policies greatly harm all educational institutions, workplaces, and nonprofits striving to advance racial equity in the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement in America

Possible outcomes of the passage of such policies include but are not limited to: 

The prohibition or severe restriction of diversity, equity and inclusion training, workshops, and events, even if such training is based upon verifiable and factual information and statistics.

The prohibition of field trips, guest speakers, and career exploration opportunities for students wishing to learn about principles of equity and inclusion. 

The stifling of solutions to societal problems as they pertain to specific racial demographic groups as identified by the U.S. Census, and other official sources of information. 

The suppression of dissemination of information of scholarships for racially diverse students in historically underrepresented fields (e.g.,veterinary profession). 

The widening of the racial equity gap in employment, especially where racially diverse employees are least represented. 

The inability to compete for diversity, equity, and inclusion-related nonprofit grants and other funding.

It is not a coincidence that an attack on truthful dialogue comes after George Floyd’s death – a murder that highlighted systemic racism and the dire need for social justice.  Rather, such concerted efforts to suppress and silence testify to the necessity of this dialogue we are to continue dismantling racial inequity – an exceedingly  critical part of Human and Animal Well-Being.  As such, CARE stands firm in its position to oppose any measure, policy, or initiative that would inevitably cause harm to the communities we serve.  We call upon all individuals, communities and organizations dedicated to these principles, to unite against any effort to suppress initiatives that promote equity and inclusion in classrooms and workplaces.