Condemning Hate in Our Community & Beyond
While MOCO has always represented a diverse and inclusive community, we want to be clear where we stand as it relates to the news out of Minneapolis, MN, and the ensuing protests across the nation and now, the world. We do not support acts of overt or systemic racial violence. The long list of black lives lost that most recently include George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade and Ahmaud Arbery represents a system that does not equitably serve black and white America. We will be part of the change in our community. We are committed to the following:
- Recognizing and prioritizing the urgency of the Black Lives Matter movement;
- Owning and addressing our own unconscious bias that impacts our everyday actions;
- Actively addressing racism whenever and wherever we see it.
In addition, we’re also committed to taking the following action in the coming months:
- Anti-racisim professional development for our staff and board;
- Actively seeking meaningful collaborations with organizations including but not limited to Vermont Racial Justice Alliance, Windham County NAACP, Justice for All, The Root Social Justice Center and ACLU Vermont;
- Highlight the feedback option on our webpage for customers to share comments and concerns of all kinds directly with store leadership and board;
- Develop an anti-racism and inclusion rubric to guide future board and store decision-making.
Sincerely, The MOCO Board and Staff Elizabeth Autorino, Nancy Banks, Riley Bouchard, Mj Bouvier, Nina Church, Grason Darrow, Grace Evans, Sarah Evans, Taylor Evans, Tricia Follert, Larry Gibs, Kasey Greene, Kyle Greene, Elaine Harvey, Loren Leahy, Kelley Lyons, Jack Pickett, Brianna Reeves, Elly Ventura, Chuck Waskuch, Lisa Zinn
