We Need to Talk

I was a child of the 1960s. That turbulent time—now more than a half-century ago—and its civil rights protests seem strikingly similar, yet distinctly different from today’s fervent surrealism. How is it that we haven’t seemed to progress and resolve any of these bleeding issues, despite the passage of Civil Rights Acts in 1964 and 1968?

Like most everyone, I’m sickened and angered by the recent tragedies of racist police brutality. How can this keep going on? How do we enact meaningful and lasting change? Who can we trust to lead us through this unreal labyrinth?

Questions seem to spur more questions, and real answers are difficult. There are, however, some very obvious things that we can and must do if we’re to truly move forward and heal our communities.

• We have to really talk with, understand and respect one another with no bias, no hate and no preconceived notions or agendas.
• We have to vote. This may be the most significant election in our history. It’s time to make some real change. Vote for those that will make it happen. Here’s a way to support Vote-By-Mail, a system that Oregon has proven to be accessible and equitable.
• We need to support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) organizations that are on the ground helping those that need it the most. We need to eliminate the euphemism of “underserved communities.” Here’s a good place to start.
• Finally, we must never enable or support racist attitudes, language or behavior. If you hear it or see it, address it immediately.

Higgins stands with BIPOC in the pursuit of racial justice and equality. To put our words into action, we have donated to Unite Oregon. Additionally, we will be examining our own practices at Higgins—from hiring and staffing to supporting Black-owned vendors and more—through the lens of diversity, equality, and inclusion.

Enough is enough.

In solidarity,

Greg Higgins