We Can and Must Stand for the Cause of Equal Justice for All
Below is a letter I shared with AdvaMed members.
Members,
The AdvaMed community is heartbroken for George Floyd, his family, his loved ones, and every family who has suffered a similar fate in the past. We add our voice to those declaring: No more. This must end now.
For too many in this country, the fear of a similar fate has led to outrage, anger, and hopelessness. We are seeing this expressed in cities across the nation, and for good reason. We are proud of our industry’s employees and the countless others who are taking to the streets to exercise their constitutional right to peacefully protest and plead for long-overdue change. We must all stand up. We must all listen. We must all act.
As a health care organization, we recognize that we do not have the solution to a cultural crisis like the one we face today. But together we can and we must stand with those who are hurting and suffering. And together we must continue our work for equal justice for all. We can and we must listen to those who offer real solutions to the evil of racism—and then ensure that those who have the power to implement those solutions do so immediately.
As our Chairman Kevin Lobo recently said, we “strive for a work environment that does not tolerate discrimination, injustice, or acts of violence.” We will continue to “foster a culture where all employees feel safe, included, and engaged.”
The medical technology community is united in our common mission to improve and save lives. We are united in our support of diversity and equity in our companies. While we continue our single-minded pursuit of medical breakthroughs to treat and cure disease, we must also have a single-minded focus on eradicating the disease of racism in this country and around the world.
Scott Whitaker, President and CEO of AdvaMed
Senior Executive Officer
3yWe as a company need to take a strong stand . It is time to have all kinds of discrimination especially linked to skin colour/sexual orientation/physical appearance/gender be a thing of the past. we are in 2020. The ones with the privilege need to use it to protect the ones without. That is my understanding of Democracy. We have always looked up to the USA. It cannot betray our expectations now.
Senior Accountant, Intercompany
3yThank you for speaking up. I noticed many are afraid to speak up by fear of being deemed ‘political’. Turning a blind eye on something is easier to do, till it directly affects you.
Vice President, Global Research & Development
3yThank you for speaking up and urging all of us to engage in this discussion. We need to drive change in society. We can start by taking action to eradicate racism in our organizations and in our communities.
Global Head of Communications Connected Care @ Philips | Boston University
3yThank you for always speaking with such a clear and moral voice. We in med tech truly appreciate you Scott Whitaker !
Medical Device Content Translation, Localization, and Process Automation
3yAdding my voice to the chorus:- my 2 sons are biracial, White/African-American. I'm looking forward to the day when I don't have to remind them how to behave, not to make sudden moves or resist, if stopped by the police. As a parent, I know what I signed up for, but it doesn't make it any less painful.