We Honor George Floyd by Continuing to Fight Systemic Racism
Image by Lorie Shaull, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Dear FAmily,
Last May, our collective consciousness was rocked when yet another Black man was murdered on video for the entire world to see. The verdict reached yesterday is a small step forward, but it’s also a recognition of what so many millions of Americans have always known to be true: Systemic racism and bias are pervasive in our society.
This is about realizing that voices matter, as this trial almost never came to be. We are relieved that the jury saw and acted upon the truth and delivered this verdict swiftly. While we commend the verdict, it is difficult to celebrate because we grieve with George Floyd’s family. This verdict does not bring George Floyd back – he should still be alive today.
But let us be very clear: this is not the end of the fight.
The flagrancy of George Floyd’s murder last year compelled many to action – to rethink our own assumptions and reimagine American society. This is the unfinished business of generations in this country and the work will not end with this verdict. We cannot and will not rest until we achieve a more equitable society.
We understand the impact that this has had on Black families, students, and educators. We have an obligation to current and future generations to stamp out racism whenever and wherever we see it and eliminate the myriad structural barriers that have held back Black people for centuries.
That includes reforming policing but also ensuring high-quality education to children of color across the country. It means giving every child the best possible education with high expectations to realize their greatness and become the leaders of tomorrow. This is the important work that we all share here at Foundation Academies.
Every one of us has an obligation to fight for a more just, more free, and more equal nation. Yesterday was not only a symbol of progress, but also a reminder of all that we have to do going forward.
In Solidarity,
Graig Weiss
CEO
Foundation Academies
Graig Weiss served as the Chief Executive Officer of Foundation Academies from 2014-2022. He began 5 years before as Middle School Principal. A 2003 Teach for America corps member, Mr. Weiss taught Math and Science in the Bronx and the Dominican Republic prior to becoming an administrator and was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2007.
Prior to entering the education field, Mr. Weiss worked in the financial services sector with Cambridge Associates, LLC in Boston, MA. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Science in Teaching from Fordham University, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Scranton.