Anti-Racism Statement

United Way of Iredell County believes that every person is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect – this includes equal treatment and access to justice. Recent events involving violence and threats against African Americans expose our society’s underlying racism, prejudice and privilege that prevent too many people from being treated with the humanity and respect they deserve. These incidents are abhorrent and run counter to everything that United Way, its volunteers and professionals value, live and fight for every day.

All people of all backgrounds and identities must call out discrimination and demand its removal from our society; otherwise, we are endorsing the status quo and are complicit in the abuses that follow. We support the many peaceful protests happening across our community, as we support the hard work and dedication of so many of our first responders who serve this community with honor and integrity. We also stand alongside our, national, state and local leaders to discourage the violence we have seen explode over the past few days from the actions of a few.

We must all do our part, working United, to make our communities the places that we need them to be – equitable, respectful and opportunity-filled. We, as a society, can and must do better to guarantee that the basic human rights and freedoms of every person in every community are protected.

On behalf of the United Way of Iredell County Executive Committee of the Board.