As the trial for the murder of Mr. George Floyd comes to a close, we first honor his life and the irrevocable loss his family and loved ones have endured.
We can now collectively exhale that justice—at least in this one case, for the memory of this one Black man, father, brother, and friend—has prevailed. Let us appreciate the magnitude of this moment and work toward a day when justice is no longer an anomaly for people of color.
Beyond a single court decision, let us also take time to reflect upon how entrenched practices, cultural norms, and decisionmaking structures can perpetuate inequities in all of our systems. Racial discrimination is a legacy of our nation’s painful history, and institutional racism and unconscious bias persist. We can and must commit to doing better.
It is time now to cast our gaze forward—to envision and to rally for a more just, creative, and abundant future where all people can thrive. It is a future that includes shared power, prosperity, and participation. It is a future where everyone—of every race and ethnicity, of every zip code, of every socioeconomic circumstance—can breathe clean air; work in a high quality job; find a safe and affordable home; participate fully in our democracy; and enjoy a healthy planet preserved for future generations.
We call upon CEOs, civic leaders, and all residents to unite their voices to demand, co-create, and marshal this more equitable future. If Minnesota can forge progress on these issues—in this moment when the whole world is watching—we can be the standard-bearer for the rest of the nation.
The time is now, and the future is ours to shape.
In acknowledgment of the collective trauma of this past year, our offices will be closed April 21-22, 2021. This will be a time for rest and reflection that will help us work with our partners with renewed energy. We hope that you can take care of yourself and your organization too.
