Our Children Deserve No Less – Allison Lake

Our children deserve no less.

It is hard for me to get my head, heart, and soul around all that is happening in the nation currently. The recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have left me numb. Perhaps as the daughter of, sister of, wife of, aunty of, and mother of black men my body is in self-preservation mode. As we are still in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, some are comparing the systemic racism of this country to a virus. I get that. But to me, it is much more. We will not find a vaccination against racism. The cure is for all of us to first acknowledge and then fight every day against the historic and institutional racism hurled towards black people while jogging, bird watching, getting coffee, being arrested, sleeping in bed…

Westchester Children’s Association (WCA) knows that black lives matter and is devoted to using our platform to speaking out against racism. WCA advocates so all kids can thrive regardless of race or zip code. The inequities and racial disparities WCA has always fought against are being laid bare in the time of COVID-19, health care, housing, employment, and education. The systematic changes we fiercely advocated for to address cracks in social systems for vulnerable groups are now more pressing. WCA’s efforts and focus on connecting children, youth, and young adults to schools, work, and community remain steadfast.

We are committed to improving how we imbed a race equity lens in our all work.

WCA stands in solidarity with our many dedicated community partners to speak out against inequities experienced by African Americans, people of color, and immigrants in Westchester County and beyond. Where we stand at times of struggle is the test. If we go back to “normal,” shame on us.

Let us demand in this time of unprecedented budget deficits, soaring levels of trauma due to the pandemic, videotaped police brutality, and racial unrest that our children remain a priority. Our children deserve no less.

Allison Lake

Executive Director

Westchester Children’s Association

June 2, 2020

Email Allison or connect via Twitter @Allison_WCA