UCLA Community and Global Psychiatry
May 29, 2020
Dear CGP Family,
In solidarity with our UCLA Psychiatry Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion family, we wanted to reach out to you about the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Tony McDade, and many other recent disturbing events to express the amount of pain that we feel and to stand together with all of you during this time. We want to express deep appreciation to Drs. Eraka Bath, Valencia Walker, Katrina DeBonis, Justin Key, and Liz Fisseha for organizing our residency program's May 29, 2020 moment of reflection and healing, and to all the faculty and residents who attended the event.
We have been reflecting on a quote from Desmond Tutu, that “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” We have been reflecting on the work that we and all of us need to do internally to root out racism and neutrality, and also to root out racism and inequities in the systems in which we participate and have influence.
We in CGP are a family. Racism affects different members of our community differently. We want to express support to our Black colleagues in particular. We see our community as impacted and we cannot be neutral. If you are experiencing hope and want to create change, please know we are here for you. If you are experiencing sadness and hopelessness, please know we are here for you.
Respectfully,
Ann Crawford-Roberts, CGP Chief Resident
Jenny Manegold, CGP Chief Resident
Enrico Castillo, CGP Faculty Lead
Eraka Bath, Vice Chair of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Some Resources:
Black Lives Matter Los Angeles
UCLA Behavioral Wellness Center hosts weekly safe spaces for Black residents and fellows
Frontline Wellness Network and subscribe to their list serv here