Reflections from NAAM Board Chair, Debbie Bird

These are very emotional times for me as a black woman, for the community, this nation and the world. It took a man crying out for his momma and a video to start a movement that can’t be stopped. I pray it does not stop until we find justice, peace, equality, and the end to lives being lost based on the color of one’s skin. BLACK LIVES MATTER!

I feel so blessed and grateful to be in a position to lead the Northwest African American Museum at this very moment in time. The museum is the perfect place for all to gather to learn, to teach and to change this world as we see it today. Yes, each one of us as leaders is a stakeholder in an effort to make that change.

But first we must look at the cold hard facts of where we are and where we need to be. Each one of us has to own our truth to move us forward. I have not experienced the horrific brutality of being beaten, shot or suffocated. But each loss has sickened me to my core. I don’t need to see a video repeated over and over again to know injustice. You see my journey, and truth has led me here.

As a black women born in the sixties, I have experienced firsthand the horrible effects of racism and injustice. Every breath I take as a Black woman is marred by the color of my skin. It first started when I attended a private catholic school in Lakewood, WA. Mine was one of two Black families that sent their kids to this institution. My parents felt that education was the key to freedom. What they failed to realize is that the social inequities of a black student verses a white one would leave permanent scars. I felt ashamed that we didn’t have an indoor pool, fancy house, and new modeled cars. I was taunted and called horrible names. As I moved into the workplace, again I was subjected to being labeled an angry Black woman, almost denied a promotion because of one person that would not be comfortable being supervised by a Black woman. I could go on and on about such treatment. I tell you about my experience because many of you may not have known or believed that racism is here in our community that affects our Black brothers and sisters.   

White privilege is a disease that most do not believe they have. It is a disease that penetrates the board room, workplace, hospitals, healthcare systems, department stores and that is out in the streets. It’s there when one makes hiring decisions. It’s there when you dismiss Black voices crying out for support. It’s there when you look at us and expect more than you would expect from your brothers and sisters.

I ask that each one of us look at our truth. I ask that you look to see if you are angry because of prior abuse and must look to forgive. I ask that you look to see if you benefited from white privilege and are willing to give that privilege up. Each one of us has to look deep down into our souls and decide if and when we can authentically move to a justice based society. I believe we can and will. That’s why I took the first step. I choose to march out on the streets during a pandemic. I could no longer sit in front of the TV outraged, saddened, devastated on what I was seeing. That’s why I asked my friends to join me. They answered the call. Dr. Constance Rice, Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange, Mary Boles Hall, Alicia Williams and many others who believe that change is now. I could no longer sit back and expect others to do the work that is needed now more than ever. I can’t ask those to do more than I am willing to do. Please ask yourself what and when are you going to make a move? Many of you, like us, have quietly worked behind the scenes to make a difference. I know you have but it is not enough. We have to do more.

When I hear the three words from George Floyd, “I CAN’T BREATHE,” it reminds me that it is our responsibility to breathe for him and for this community. Every breath we take, we should be grateful. It’s through our collective breath that we are in solidarity with ending racism and inequality.

So you ask “what can I do?” You can listen. You can strive to understand. You can forgive yourself and others. You can throw yourself in front of the one being abused and confront the abuser. I ask that you review policies or procedures that are discriminatory in nature. I ask that you check your words and actions to make sure they are healing as opposed to accusatory or derogative. I ask that you live a life where if there is no justice, there is no peace. I ask that if you have a knee on one’s neck you remove it. I ask if you have an opportunity to give back, you give.

THEN WE ALL CAN BREATHE.

With respect and love, your Board Chair,

Debbie Bird