The sound of silence
Theodora Lau
American Banker Top 20 Most Influential Women in Fintech | Book Author - Beyond Good (2021), Metaverse Economy (2023) | Founder - Unconventional Ventures | Podcast - One Vision | Advisor | Public Speaker | Top Voice |
By Theodora Lau and Bradley Leimer
We struggle with the right words to pen.
Endless streams of thoughts and emotions have been flooding through, as a result of injustices we have witnessed – although they pale in comparison to what many in the black community have been going through.
Who are we – as a nation? What values do we represent – as a society?
Today, we mourn. We lament how far we have come, but how much further we have yet to go.
Black lives matter.
It’s not a slogan.
It’s not a hashtag.
It’s not a PR campaign.
It’s not a one day exercise where corporations paint their logos black and talk about societal ills.
Black lives matter – every single day.
Innocent lives are lost and forgotten.
A whole demographic of people are being systematically discriminated against.
We must become better allies.
We must listen more.
It is not about black versus white.
It is about us – as a country – united.
This past weekend, we shared the news of Danielle Geathers, the first black woman student body president elected in MIT’s 159 years history. While this was a great milestone to be celebrated, the sheer reason why this was such a big news to begin with was exhausting.
Why would it take MIT 159 years to elect its first black woman student president? And why was the news reported without even a mention of her name, while focusing solely on her gender and the color of her skin?
The silence was once deafening.
We look forward to the day when it becomes such a norm for minorities and women to be selected for leadership positions, that this would cease to become news. The talent has always been there – waiting to be discovered.
We look forward to the day when we can truly celebrate the accomplishments of all genders and all ethnicities.
We look forward to the day when minorities and female founders are no longer underrepresented.
We look forward to a day when we are far more united and far beyond the madness and horror of this past week.
Black lives matter.
Silence is complicity.
We will no longer be silent.
Owner of Extra Push Single Parent Association
4 年?????????? I wish I can hug the person who posted this is wonderful
Freelance Information Technology Consultant at The Switch
4 年My thoughts exactly ????????????
Fintech & payments startup executive responsible for driving several turnarounds and successful exits. Passionate, gritty builder of strategies, teams and ultimately great companies
4 年Perfectly said, and THANK YOU for speaking out! The only way to make lasting change is for each of us to use our networks, our relationships, our influence to take another next best step every. single. day.
Retired General Manager and Chief Risk Officer, Advisor
4 年Why can't people think beyond color and respect each other. After all .. All of us are Homo sapiens.
CEO/Founder, IncomeConductor | 2023 Wealthies Award | 2022 Retirement Income Solution of the Year, Wealth Exemplar Awards | Luminaries Awards | Icons&Innovators Firm Award | 2018 #FFiT Award | Board Member
4 年Exactly, Theodora Lau. Would recommend you listen to a recent podcast by Sheri Fitts that very powerfully supports this message: https://womenrockingwallstreet.com/podcasts/clapping-back-with-elijah-lawal/