DHWU stands for Black lives and against racism

Dear DHWU members,

To be Black in America, is to live a life faced with injustice. Black people in America face suspicion, intimidation, violence, and death. Everyday activities have proven to be dangerous for Black Americans.  Walking while Black. Driving while Black. Barbecuing while Black. Jogging while Black. Birding while Black.

Existing while Black.

This is the reality of America today, the reality of America yesterday and the reality of America for more than 400 years, before there was even a country called the United States of America.

This is racism. Our country was built with the labor of enslaved Africans and their descendants.

The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery have shown people across the world the stark reality that is being Black in America. While these three names have spread across the globe, locally we have our own fallen: Marvin Booker, Paul Childs, Michael Marshall and many others.

Racism is more than murder. It is the disproportionate impact on Black communities by COVID-19. It is the neighborhoods being erased and families without homes due to gentrification. It is having resources denied to Black people that are given freely to others and then wondering why Black people have fallen behind.

This is an issue of public health and as Denver Health workers we see the effects it has on communities of color. We have a responsibility to seek a remedy to this injustice: for workers, for patients and for our community.

The racism that permeates our society is not a comfortable topic for many. But rest assured, it is far more comfortable than continuing to live in a racist society.

Everyone needs to confront racism. Racism is the disease that is destroying America. Racism is not a Black people problem. It is a problem with a country that would deny Black people their basic humanity.

Denver Health Workers United is committed to do more than state that we are “not racist”. DHWU strives to be antiracist and to support justice for Black people in everything that we do: confronting institutional racism, building equity, providing resources for workers of color, and antiracism programs for everyone in our union. 

Antiracism means actively identifying and eliminating racist systems, structures, policies and attitudes. We will strive to correct injustice when we encounter it and hold ourselves, our employer, our community and our union accountable to antiracist principles. 

The fight for justice did not start today and will not be won tomorrow. In order to fight racism, DHWU will be outlining the actions that we will take and provide resources to help individuals. Beneath this letter is a list of first steps and resources. We invite you to join us in this fight.

Right now the focus is on Black Lives, but DHWU stands against all bigotries. There will be no one left behind. Change is made when we unite. When we fight for everyone that needs it. This is how we force change.

This is how we win.

It is not enough to make a statement (even this statement). We must act. And DHWU will act.

In Unity, 

DHWU Organizing Committee