Black Lives Matter

Things need to change. Now.

This may or may not be the place for social commentary. But I can’t help it. Corporate correctness only goes so far in the face of what’s happening around us. Many of us - me included - are deeply disturbed by George Floyd’s death, and by other’s deaths under similar circumstances. My son and I did an honor run for Ahmaud Arbery just a month ago. And the list goes on and on. After everything that history and recent events should have taught us, how can it be that people of color, especially African Americans, continue to experience such injustice and inequality in this society? This is not acceptable, and needs to change. I am elated to see, and utterly supportive of, countless peaceful activities, online and on the streets, aimed at doing away with the sorry status quo.

Of course, I have also asked myself what can we do at NegaWatt. The honest truth is, I am not sure. Our hiring policy is, and always has been, completely neutral with respect to race (and other things, as per California’s equal opportunity laws). I have not directly experienced nor observed racial injustice in this industry. But does that mean it’s not happening? Probably not. It is likely subtle, and I suspect I am too unaware to notice. What I can say is that stories I hear from my African American friends and their children are hair-raising. Their realities are shockingly different from what one would expect in a modern, supposedly egalitarian, society.

I am counting on increased awareness to make for a good first step. I will be - and will ask my staff to be - extra vigilant with respect to racial discrimination, at work and otherwise. And then let us all be courageous citizens! Let us stand up when something doesn’t feel right, whether we are bystanders or directly affected. And let us pledge our support to the many individuals and organizations that are actively involved or affected - first and foremost naacp.org and blacklivesmatter.com. I herewith do.

May history change course sooner rather than later.