In the past several weeks, we as a society have had to address the racial injustice in our country.  Below is a reflection on racial injustice from Dimensional Fund Advisors that mirrors our firm's beliefs and opinions on this issue.  

Beyond following the news, how can we each individually reflect and then act on our involvement in society?  Here are just a few suggestions for some actionable steps you can take:

1)  Listen.   And then help amplify black voices.

2)  Speak up when you see racial injustice.  Don't let your fear of "doing it wrong" stop you.  Be willing to make a few mistakes in your journey to being an ally for change.

3)  Think about where you spend your money.  This might be the time to consciously support black-owned businesses.  For instance if you were thinking of buying some books on the issue, seek out black-owned bookstores to purchase from.  

4)  Vote.  Use your vote to make a difference and make your opinion heard.

As David Booth, Executive Chairman and Founder of Dimensional Fund, states in the article below, "Thirty years from now I hope we are able to look back on this time as a real turning point. To get there, we can’t lose hope and we have to hold ourselves accountable."

We are holding ourselves accountable and hoping for a future that will look very different.

Jun 05, 2020

The murder of George Floyd is the most recent in a long line of injustices against the black community in our country. While reflecting on what our firm can do to help, I came upon something my friend and colleague Bill Bradley said nearly 30 years ago on the Senate floor. A jury had just returned the Rodney King verdict, which acquitted four police officers who were caught on videotape beating King with their batons 56 times for 81 seconds.

                In the 1960s, James Baldwin, in the midst of great racial advances in civil rights, said, "beware the fire next time.’’

             In the last twenty-four hours, another warning bell has rung and other fires have burned. If we as a nation continue

           to ignore the racial reality of our times, tip-toe around it, demagogue it, or flee from it, we’re going to pay an enormous price.

          What we need now, at this exact time, is hope and accountability. Accountability for the conduct of the police officers,

              and hope that the system of justice can work.

Please don’t let history repeating itself make you cynical. I am encouraged that the conversations taking place across the country could inspire great change. We clearly need a more just criminal justice system, real economic opportunity for more people, and everyone fulfilling their citizenship responsibility by voting.

Thirty years from now I hope we are able to look back on this time as a real turning point. To get there, we can’t lose hope and we have to hold ourselves accountable.