We have all heard it before, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.” The unjust treatment and senseless killing of Black people in this country must stop now.
The Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America (OICA) and its network of Affiliates is devastated by the senseless murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and the countless other victims of systemic racism and ethnic intolerance. This pain of injustice has plagued our communities for far too long. We stand against racially biased policing and the acts of state-sanctioned violence and brutality that continues to disproportionately impact black and brown people in this nation, and across the world.
We join those in protest who oppose racial oppression and are actively working toward racial equity. Our organization was born in 1964 during a time of civil unrest in this country. The Selective Patronage program led by our founder, Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, was a direct response to inequalities experienced by people of color in Philadelphia. More than 50 years later, we are still fighting to dismantle systems that both promote and permit unnecessary violence.
We stand in solidarity with other institutions that call for police officers, law enforcement agencies and elected leaders to be held accountable for unfair policies and practices. We demand that they develop strategies to effectively control crime and maintain order, while treating all individuals fairly and within the bounds of the law – these are necessary steps to move us forward.
We all must unite to support universal human rights, promote equal opportunity, and continue the hard work to improve the educational, cultural, economic, and social well-being of the communities we serve. This requires access to training and upwardly mobile employment opportunities to level the playing field and build “One Equitable America”
We will continue offering proven programs across our country addressing many issues impacting black and brown communities to include – mass incarceration, access to affordable healthcare, educate underserved youth, provide meaningful job and vocational training for the unemployed and underemployed, and care for our veterans by providing meaningful work experiences and wrap-around support services.
OIC of America and its network of Affiliates understand that civil and economic rights are inseparable. We encourage all citizens to exercise their right to vote for elected officials who will work to abolish inequitable laws that have been designed to leave black and brown people behind and create new laws that provide equity across our nation. We will continue to work tirelessly with government, corporations, donors and our partner organizations to bring about substantive change to help those who have been historically excluded, underserved, and disenfranchised, gain the economic independence that lifts them from the shackles of poverty. To learn more about our organization or make a donation go to oicofamerica.org/
