Somebody Do Something

It was 4AM on Saturday. Two of my coworkers called me from our office scared and upset. Our office had been vandalized in the recent riots (not to be confused with the peaceful protests). I jumped in my car ready to defend my friends and coworkers, and the company we’ve worked so hard to build. Many of my coworkers reacted the same way- they were hurt, they felt violated and they wanted to do something about it-- understandably. Luckily things calmed down. Then we got hit again Saturday night. And again on Tuesday night. Three of the past five nights we’ve sustained vandalism and burglary. 

It is wrong to vandalize, to loot, and to terrorize.  It’s that simple. But just as these acts committed by a small minority are counterproductive to an issue that desperately needs our full attention, so is focusing our energy on anger, and I refuse to do it. We owe it to our country, our children, and especially our neighbors of color to focus on what’s most important so that hopefully they one day experience a more just world. 

The brutal killing of George Floyd is an absolute tragedy. It’s horrific, and I condemn it. We’ll replace our windows and our things, but nothing can restore the life of George Floyd or countless others. We must listen to the voices of the oppressed and those hurting from the deeply etched wounds of racism and injustice. These repeated crimes against humanity without response must stop. 

It is shameful that my friends with black children have to worry about their children’s safety for the “crime” of being black. That they have to know the pain their children will certainly experience in life as they are mistreated-- even sometimes at the hands of those they need the most. This is their everyday experience. As a father, I can’t imagine. 

If you don’t see it, you’re not looking hard enough. The statistics are sad, sobering, and obvious.  I’ve personally witnessed my business partner, a Lebanese born American I consider family, being ‘randomly’ selected on more than his fair share of occasions as we’ve traveled the world together. I watched my African American coworker panic to find his wallet so he could be sure he had his ID when the police showed up so he could PROVE he worked here so they wouldn’t confuse him with the rioters— I never would have even had to think about that. We can and must do better to preserve their safety, their dignity, and most importantly their lives. 

It’s time to look in the mirror. We will not always like what we see but the answer is not to turn away. It’s time to face the music. While we’ve made progress as a country, that’s not good enough. I hope these events serve as an awakening that we are still far far away from our ideal that all men are created equal. “Equal Justice Under Law” is engraved right on the front of the Supreme Court Building; there’s nothing ambiguous about it. 

Dialexa is built on the strength of diversity, inclusion, and the incredible advantages it provides. I believe this with all of my heart. People from all races, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, and geographies. If I don’t speak out for these marginalized people that I care so deeply about, what kind of leader, and more importantly person, am I?

Empathy and action are what’s required of us. We must seek to understand the experiences that have caused this hurt and we must act to change these grave injustices that plague our great country. 

I will stand up, I will listen, and I will speak out. I will be a better person. I will not pass along things to my children that are an antiquated and cruel relic of my generation and the generations before me. It’s very simply a matter of integrity-- doing the right thing. It’s a core value at Dialexa that is desperately needed right now. In difficult times, our values serve as our north star. 

As leaders, it’s our moral imperative to speak up and speak out. Your neighbors, friends, and future generations need your help. Will you answer the call? 

Don’t let anyone distract you from what’s truly important.  #blacklivesmatter

-Scott