Miller Johnson Condemns Police Brutality and Racial Injustice
Recent events have forced us to examine how we at Miller Johnson can meaningfully engage in the collective conversation happening on streets and public squares around the world and more directly in the communities we call home. We believe in the following.
Miller Johnson condemns police brutality, racial injustice and the senseless murder of George Floyd.
Miller Johnson is outraged by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of those sworn to protect him. George Floyd’s murder was a senseless act of violence. His death, and the violence against so many African Americans before him, is abhorrent to us as individuals and as a community. We recognize and condemn the legacy of systemic racism which led to his death and countless others whose deaths were not captured on video.
Miller Johnson challenges all people to educate themselves on the value of the vast contributions African Americans have made, and continue to make, to this nation’s greatness, while shouldering the burden of racism.
We do not issue this challenge to suggest that only due to these contributions do African-Americans deserve to live free of injustice and inequality. We do so, to help rid our community of the unconscious bias often rooted in negative stereotypes of an inherent inferiority of African Americans. We have learned in this time from listening to some of our African American lawyers that the weight they carry is heavy, yet so familiar to their existence they rarely speak of it. We recognize numerous factors contribute to the continued existence of systemic racism and the belief that one person’s life is worth less than another’s. The time is now to not only directly address the injustices we see but to till the soil of our sub-conscious in search for a better refrain when interacting with those who are different.
Miller Johnson sends its support to all peaceful protestors and law enforcement officials, and encourages everyone to stay hopeful in this time of hopelessness.
For far too long, police brutality and racial injustice has been common place in our society, resulting in an eerie sense of normalcy. This sense of normalcy may lead to a crippling sense of hopelessness. This time things are different. We support those protestors taking a stand for change. We also support our law enforcement officials who carry out their duties in a manner which preserves our right to peacefully protest, while also serving the vital role of protecting our communities. Please remain hopeful that justice will prevail and those who are charged with keeping the peace will do better.
Miller Johnson challenges all community leaders to reflect on what makes this nation great and whether we have created a legacy we can be proud of.
Among the many things that make this nation great is the promise of peace and tranquility for all. For many African Americans and other people of color, this promise has been nothing more than a facade. We ask leaders at all levels to reflect on what makes this nation great, and whether we have been living up to those principles. We challenge all leaders to use their authority to guide our communities to a better place.
Miller Johnson will cultivate a diverse and inclusive culture, inside and outside our walls. We all must effect positive social change, and Miller Johnson is dedicated to working for a more just and equitable future for all. Miller Johnson plans on hosting a webinar on racial inequality. Details on the webinar will follow in the coming days, and we encourage everyone to tune in when it is available. Miller Johnson also plans on contributing to 8 can’t wait. We encourage others to similarly contribute to an organization of your choice and hope that, although greatly appreciated, financial contributions are only the first of many steps taken to address police brutality and racial injustice.
The racial injustice webinar and our financial contribution are but two steps that Miller Johnson plans on taking in our efforts to make our society a more diverse and inclusive place. We will create opportunities for our law firm and our wider community to engage in discussion, exchange and education about racial injustice. We will listen, we will learn, and we will be part of the solution. We are ready and eager to engage with our community partners in this important work. We stand with the black community.
And yes, Black Lives Matter.
Miller Johnson has decided that we must engage and be leaders in this fight. Through our commitment to foster an environment to help us identify the biases we each hold and to move beyond them; in our hiring, retention and promotion practices; in how we spend our dollars as a firm; and how we donate our time and legal services, we will show we are committed to being the change we want to see.
We invite you to join us in this transformation.