Since 2020, mourning has become commonplace, yet for many Black and Brown communities, it always has been. In 2021 and into 2022, we have witnessed so many acts of senseless violence in the world. Many of them fueled by racist and white supremacist beliefs. The attack in Buffalo, New York in May is one of the most extreme examples, but not the only one by an overwhelming margin. Systemic injustices persist in America, in Europe, and around the world.

This year has seen a myriad of subtler examples of white supremacy. To the systems as they stand, Brown lives are still seen as less than white ones. The coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine serves as a prime example. While there is extreme empathy for those affected by the crisis, many in Black and Brown communities feel disheartened by this conflict's effect on the world psyche. Historically, Ukraine has been predominantly white and European, and thus warfare in the "civilized world" was shocking. The mass media, politicians, and the public continue this narrative disregarding the continuing conflicts in other nations primarily populated by people of color. Other than perhaps noting those conflicts were commonplace, what we have come to expect, and importantly, come to ignore. The crisis in Ukraine is shocking and horrible. Still, it is not qualitatively more critical because those impacted are majority white Europeans, and treating it as such has been and is dangerous. It is in these moments that we display empathy. We must question how and why and think if we are doing it equitably and justly. If the answer is no, something must change.

Statements are not enough, but we must mark these tragic events. Mourning is necessary, but allowing it to callus sensibilities and thwart motivation is problematic. Exhaustion is reasonable, but allowing fatigue to draw you away from the work of antiracism is an insidious manifestation of the very systems we seek to dismantle. Community can help.

It has been two years. The list of Black and Brown people who have been killed at the hands of police and other inequitable systems continues to grow, repressive practices still flourish, and racism and white supremacy continue to do untold harm. In this field, while we have made progress, we barely scratched the surface and have much farther to go. We must champion justice for those who have suffered in silence. There is no peace and security until we all share peace and security. We reassert the Standing Together Against Racism and Discrimination Solidarity Statement, and maintain our dedication to OrgsInSolidarity. 

There is so much work to be done.