​​CDI Black Lives Matter Statement

Silence is not an option. George Floyd’s murder was the result of a culture of police brutality in the US perpetuated by systemic white supremacy. The statistics show that Black Americans, who constitute only 13.4% of the US population, are more likely to get fatally shot by the police and are imprisoned at five times the rate of white Americans. Systemic racism is not unique to the US and George Floyd's murder has provided a critical opportunity for self-reflexivity on the ways in which each of us is implicated in systemic and institutional racism across the world. As a UK based organization, CDI advocates a recognition of the need to confront the racism in our own social systems, and affirms its commitment to combating the racism and neo-colonialist attitudes towards development which can abide despite the best of efforts and intentions.


We will use this time to reflect on our policies, our processes, and ensure diversity and the protection of any vulnerable groups within our organization. We are incredibly proud to have volunteers from six continents contributing to our projects in Tanzania, and we know there is more we can do.  We will be transparent and accountable in these actions. 
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​Now is not the time for silence. It is time for solidarity and action. Educate yourself on the issues. Sign the petitions. Donate to the funds. Write to your MP. Write to your University. Call out racism when you see it. Start difficult conversations with your friends and family. Support material changes to society to dismantle systems of oppression. We can all do better. #BlackLivesMatter.

Resources

Open Letter to address racism at the University of Cambridge: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D2VnQ2z-77b-r-SIP4OkAwCco9uC_d_ZnIAhbeefZr4/edit?fbclid=IwAR1yHAYJj78znjUy1W7xBad3lOkMPERRG24Bx_bzh3hjgNtBpcRNARMVQJ8

Ways You Can Help (compiled by Black Lives Matter): https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

Practical ways to support BLM from the UK:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x65xLdIUDWMUl4_nkuD-EeP98UuJ2nuknUDsqUm7R9s/htmlview?pru=AAABcre1-js*25PVMHw5yjMFbq6CEdjdsw&fbclid=IwAR1OJCCYlDMQvE6Qs-kWTuOA9QC7VtojfJzRmP-_SCjLeiET_1Fz4ihbKpI#gid=1386834576

Educational anti-racism resources (including resources for parents) *says ‘for white people’ but for anybody: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRlF2_zhNe86SGgHa6-VlBO-QgirITwCTugSfKie5Fs/preview?pru=AAABcp-4tbs*v1wkyGt7Suf9Y-LC5psrdQ