SDCMS Statement on Racial Injustice.
The San Diego County Medical Society Executive Committee issued the following Statement on Racial Injustice Today:
"The events in the week after George Floyd’s murder at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis have once again brought to light the deep distress in our country caused by repeated incidents of mistreatment of people of color by law enforcement and the criminal justice system. While we commend the dedication, sacrifice, and values of the profession of law enforcement, we cannot ignore the issues of racism and police violence and their traumatic impact on the well-being and health of our black and brown community members.
"We acknowledge that racism, bias, and inequity are not isolated to the criminal justice system. They exist in all aspects of our society including public safety, healthcare, education, and access to resources and economic opportunity. The San Diego County Medical Society (SDCMS) is committed to working with the community and within the healthcare system to address bias, systemic racism, and inequality and their serious health consequences. The well-being of our community depends on our collective action.
"We join with the leaders of the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association in calling for change.
CMA statement: https://tinyurl.com/ycq37qd9
AMA statement: https://tinyurl.com/y8upe6cy
"We encourage people who choose to gather to peacefully protest, or to seek solace, to continue to take measures to protect themselves from the COVID pandemic which disproportionally affects people of color. The collective trauma of these overlapping crises is unmatched in our recent history. We demand that the press be able to report on these issues freely, and that scientists and healthcare professionals are listened to in guiding research and health policy.
"We hope that people are able to find some comfort among friends, family, faith communities, and trusted healthcare professionals. SDCMS stands with all people who are suffering from this tragedy and the reverberations of those from our past."
Resources for support:
www.211sandiego.org
www.up2sd.org