Dear Staten Island Museum Community,
We are writing to you today as museum leadership, on behalf of all of us at the Staten Island Museum.
In the midst of the already difficult circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, our country has been confronted by further trauma. Like you, we are sickened by the extreme and unwarranted violence against members of the Black community and hear the pain, suffering, and anger that has resulted.
We cannot just go about our days.
We mourn the loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many others, all too reminiscent of Eric Garner in our own community six years go.
The Staten Island Museum stands in solidarity with the Black community – including our visitors, members, staff, trustees, interns, volunteers, and partners – in the continuing fight against racial injustice.
Over the past two years, the Staten Island Museum has undertaken the process of exploring our own implicit biases, delving into understanding of systemic racism, and identifying ways in which our thoughts and actions can help promote equity.
We are going to have to work harder and be stronger.
We are compelled to push forward and do the hard work toward dismantling systemic racism through self-examination, humility, sincerity, fortitude, and actions. As an institution, we will approach this effort holistically and hold ourselves accountable to this promise.
We are listening. We are committed to pushing for change in our institution and our community.
Respectfully,
