On January 8, the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy issued a statement in response to the events at the Capitol that occurred on January 6, 2021.
Dear colleagues, members, and friends,
The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy has, with our peers across the country, added our name to statements condemning the violent siege in Washington, DC on Wednesday. You can view those statements here.
Alongside that action, we want to reach out to you today as friends and colleagues. We know that many of us are feeling unsettled, angry, disgusted – or any number of painful reactions to what we have witnessed. We know that our peers of color are even more deeply impacted by these recent events, particularly in witnessing the response by the police to this predominantly white male mob, contrasted against the shows of force we see during the Black Lives Matter demonstrations. We see you and are here for you as you process what has happened this week.
As so many crises, struggles, and difficulties continue to impact our community, we know that many of you are supporting your teams, friends, and families. It is critical to take time to process the week’s events and we hope you will consider taking time for yourself, too. There is only so much that can be processed at once, only so many ways our attention can be split. In moments of crisis like this, it may be helpful to see the power of acknowledging our humanity and our needs.
While we at CCP have been processing these events, we’ve also been reflecting on our role and the places where we think philanthropy can make a difference. We know that philanthropy is a powerful tool – for bringing people together, for supporting community action, and for social change. And of course, there is much work to be done on all fronts.
CCP will continue our work of advancing and supporting racial equity, community organizing, advocacy, and civic engagement – all in service of strengthening our democracy.
We all look forward to working together with you in the coming year for a more just, equitable, and thriving Connecticut. Please don't hesitate to reach out if we can support you.
Your friends,
Karla, Annie, & Bilal