Speaking out against what’s wrong
Mark Crawford
Retired, Former SVP Global Head of Employment Law and Global Head of DE&I
The escalating aggression toward Asians and Asian Americans in the United States leaves me outraged and disheartened that again, we need to condemn violence against a specific group of people.
To our Asian and Asian American community: An attack against one of us is an attack against all of us. At bp, our values are our guiding light – Safety, Respect, Excellence, Courage and One Team. I believe these values resonate widely, beyond bp and in the toughest times, they should provide all of us with a solid foundation for what we say and how we behave.
Like many of you, I have shed way too many tears - just as I cried for George Floyd and the many senseless murders within the African American community, I wept for each of the victims of the Atlanta killings and their families: Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Yong Yue, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, and Daoyou Feng.
I see myself, my family, my children, my friends and my neighbors in each and every attack. But, far too often, our emotions and our compassion end with the passing of the news story and we return to our "normal" lives. Our compassion for others is designed to move us to action, as change will only come when we all make an intentional and consistent commitment to challenge hate in any form no matter when and where it occurs.
We must all stand together to make the world a better place. We are all responsible for speaking out against intimidation, against racism, against hate and against violence.
Join me in speaking out against these acts of violence and offering your support to those who have been impacted. On March 26, Asian American organizations are marking it as “#StopAsianHate Virtual Day of Action and Healing” and this presents us with an opportunity to take action by joining in solidarity against the hate and violence.
Employee and Labor Relations leader, certified counselor (NCC), P-LPC.
3 年Thank you for your words and actions. I know you as a thoughtful man of both.
Senior HR @ Los Angeles Metro | Problem Solver, Humanitarian, Analytical and Innovative Leader
3 年Mark, Thank you for this! Continue to be a conscious leader and strong ally! Proud of you!
Strategy, Energy, Economics, Real Estate, ESG SME, Design Thinking Trainer, Six Sigma Black Belt. Young Shell India Advisor. All opinions are my own and do not represent any of my past or current employers.
3 年Mark : Apologies if i may overstep just putting my reflections. I strongly feel the #onevoice should be for any kind of hate, violence, bullying or intimidation not only Asians or Asian Americans... It's for every kind of hate or intimidation happening every where across the world. Be it in regards to rich/developed countries claiming vaccine priority, or squashing of freedom of speech, or intimation of people through govt machinery and many much more... The ethos of Diversity and Inclusion is in the spirit of being a world citizen and ensuring that each and every voice must be heard in equal spirit, force and devoid of influence.
Production Team Leader | BBBA STEM Rising Star 2024 | EMpower Future Leader
3 年Thanks for this thought provoking piece Mark. As you rightly alluded to, change starts with each and every one of us. It has to be intentional, and it must be consistent
Director of Government Affairs | Legislative Advocate, Policy Analysis, Stakeholder Engagement
3 年Mark, thank you very much for your thoughtful and powerful post. I’m grateful for such strong support from bp, from you, and from many of our colleagues during this difficult time. As the son of a Chinese American immigrant, I’ve been shocked and saddened by the surge in anti-Asian sentiment and violence. But the solidarity you’ve shown gives me hope as we strive to build a better, more just society.?