“...together we will find a way to not just be allies but accomplices in the work of anti-racism.”
A MESSAGE FROM ALEXIS CHASE
Georgia Organics' Anti-Racism Audit
After the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, many organizations turned their attention to themselves and asked themselves questions about their motives and actions.
Georgia Organics began to ask questions and eventually launched the Anti-Racism Committee. Over time, we recognized that we needed assistance in understanding our current state and what changes we needed to make to truly live our value of being anti-racist.
Last May, we contacted several organizations that conduct anti-racism audits. After reviewing their proposals, we selected Widerstand Consulting. Widerstand's process includes reviewing our internal and external documents, as well as holding a series of focus groups with members of Georgia Organics staff and board of directors, as well as some of our farmers and partners. Widerstand will use all of the input they receive to understand who we are and the changes we need to make. We have just begun this process.
“Since its founding, Georgia Organics has worked with farmers whose livelihood has been impacted by racism. We owe it to them - and to ourselves - to do all that we can to break the cycle of white supremacy and racism. ”
In March of this year, we will receive a report primarily composed of recommendations that we will work to implement in the coming months.
Becoming anti-racist is a commitment that this organization made before I arrived and one that I wholeheartedly support. We live and work on land that has been impacted by racism since the mid-1600s. Since its founding, Georgia Organics has worked with farmers whose livelihood has been impacted by racism. We owe it to them - and to ourselves - to do all that we can to break the cycle of white supremacy and racism. This audit is an important step in that direction.
I am committed to this process, personally and professionally. I know that this process of becoming who we need to be may not be easy, but I also know that the result will be a stronger Georgia Organics. I promise all of you that this audit will not just sit on a shelf but that the suggestions and opportunities it presents will be taken seriously, they will be implemented, and together we will find a way to not just be allies but accomplices in the work of anti-racism.
Friends and supporters, we are in this together.
Sincerely,
Alexis Chase
Executive Director