A heavy heart for obvious reasons; we shouldn’t have had to hold our breath while waiting for the verdict. We should’ve been able to trust the justice system to work. There should not have been so much anxiety around awaiting an outcome, an outcome should have been obvious. My heart is heavy because even with the right verdict, George Floyd isn’t here anymore. His family and friends feel his loss and their pain may change over time, but will never end.  And, sadly, the murder of George Floyd is a devastating reminder of the ongoing discrimination, inequities, and brutality against Black and Brown people in our country.

Yet, I feel relief and hope. There is a sense of feeling there was actually some accountability with the verdict and, some hope for the future. Of course, the real accountability will come when policing reflects a respect for humanity.

Please know that we stand with our co-workers and friends who’ve experienced discrimination and racism and we’re committed to working for racial justice.

The mixed feelings are human and reflect the complexity of life with all its joys and all its injustices. Both/and – sadness and hope.

Here’s hoping that yesterday’s verdict, at least in some small way, brings healing to the Floyd family and to all people of color and to all of us.

Be gentle with yourselves and with each other.

Warmly,

Rosa

POWER is united in support of our clients, staff, and neighbors in the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community, and we join them in their call to #StopAsianHate.

On Tuesday, March 16, when eight people were killed during three targeted shootings at massage parlors in the Atlanta area. Six of the people killed were of Asian descent and two were white. Seven were women.

While police have not officially linked the killings to racism, there is no doubt that these murders combined with the escalation of harassment over the last year has left Asian and Pacific Islander communities feeling more vulnerable than ever.

In June of 2020, POWER issued statements of support for our Black staff and colleagues, clients, volunteers, supporters, and the entire Black community. We mourned the tragic loss of life and acknowledged the collective trauma and grief of the Black community.

Today, we reach out to show support for another community suffering from their own unique trauma. The circumstances may be different, but they are symptoms of the same disease that is White Supremacy. And the need actively work to dismantle racism remains the same.

“If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”

Lilla Watson

On January 14, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services announced it’s planning to eliminate the requirement to apply for a separate waiver to prescribe buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). The updated practice guidelines will only apply to physicians, but is a positive step towards reducing barriers to treatment.

“This is one step closer to de-stigmatizing the treatment of Opioid Use Disorders and will allow for better, easier access to medication for those with OUDs,” said POWER Clinical Director, Kara Hall. “Recovery is possible and does happen! People who have OUDs deserve quick and convenient access to medications that will help them on their journey towards long-term recovery.”