{"id":10517,"date":"2020-06-03T19:30:04","date_gmt":"2020-06-03T23:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/?p=10517"},"modified":"2020-06-04T00:46:30","modified_gmt":"2020-06-04T04:46:30","slug":"entering-a-new-era-of-uncertainty-and-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/2020\/06\/03\/entering-a-new-era-of-uncertainty-and-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"Entering a New Era of Uncertainty and Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"

As I witness the unfolding scenes of unrest and violence in the United States, my heart breaks. The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many more innocent Black lives, are a symptom of deeply institutionalized racism that exists ubiquitously. As each death transpires, we find spirit and action in the digital world \u2014 and then there\u2019s another name that rings, reverberates, and is added to the long, long list of others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We thought the world stopped with COVID-19, but as protests and fury seen on the streets propel us into an ever-changing lifestyle, we have been proven wrong. As a result of the explosion of simultaneous racial, health, economic, and climate crises, we are beginning another era of uncertainty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Actor John Boyega said at a protest in Hyde Park, London, we don\u2019t know what George Floyd could have achieved, and we don\u2019t know what Sandra Bland could have achieved.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019s right. We don\u2019t know what our fallen Black brothers and sisters could have become, but we do know what we as a society are capable of. If we consistently work toward justice and equality, together we will enact real change.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a communications organization, we will continue to use our platform to speak out on issues of racism and injustice. We will also create programs and workshops to educate members and help navigate change as well as share programs offered by PRSA.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On Thursday, June 4 at 11 a.m., PRSA will host a webinar, \u201cResponding to Racial Injustice With Change and Healing.\u201d Webinar panelists will share insights and best practices that can guide communicators in critical conversations to ensure that real change happens.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can register for the session <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>. The session will also be available to view as a recording later on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, I want to hear your stories, too. As proposed in our statement, change begins with us. The key to this change is education. Fortunately, PRSSA is a great educational hub for students looking to learn more about not only D&I in communications, but also about each other.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Please feel free to reach out to me at <\/span>vpdiversity@prsa.org<\/span><\/a> with any stories, ideas, tools, and resources you\u2019d like to share. I want to be a resource for you, and you for me. In this new era, let\u2019s continue to learn together.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

PRSSA is asking you to use your voice when it\u2019s needed the most. If you\u2019re looking for ways to help, visit and share the tips and resources below.<\/span><\/p>\n

General Tips:<\/b><\/h4>\n