Compassion and Leadership During Unrest
As a group, we decided to forgo our typical Monday Industry Report and let you know we too are grappling with many emotions as we start this new week.
I woke up unrested this morning, to a country in struggle: a country seeking leadership, seeking reassurance, seeking peace.
I grappled with my feelings, not only about the civil unrest taking place but where we find ourselves in this country today and how vulnerable we all are. I grieve that there are communities that are still fighting to be heard, to be treated fairly, to truly be safe. These issues of inequality are not new to America, unlike the pandemic.
This Saturday, Deana and I were receiving updates from our team in Reno, just one of many cities where Americans have gone out to make their voices heard in pursuit of change and justice for the death of George Floyd and the countless other black victims of police brutality. The anger and frustration from these injustices has manifested itself in several ways including violence and destruction. However, we have also seen moments of inspiration, compassion, and solidarity.
As this weekend unfolded, there was elation as SpaceX celebrated its first crewed launch from U.S. soil. We can launch astronauts to outer space, yet many of our unemployed are still waiting on their first checks. The gaming industry reopens to appreciative guests, and still millions of workers are unemployed. COVID deaths in the US reached 106,000, and businesses across the country re-opened on their last dime. No wonder so many of us feel imbalanced.
From thoughts about the riots to if we should wear masks in public, our opinions come directly from our personal life experiences and our individual perspectives; our judgments and our beliefs, are based off of what we know to be true for ourselves. As a Native American, I’ve seen my family struggle and fight, I understand the meaning of a cultural legacy; I know that there are Tribal members across the country that still do not have their basic needs met; there is injustice for many minorities. Yet, today, from where I sit:
I am not afraid to walk in a white neighborhood. I am still employed; my family is not at risk of going hungry or losing our home. And yes, I am a business owner and I feel the weight of an unsure future; but we haven’t closed our doors. So I have to ask myself, am I seeing the world through the truest angle?
Last week, Paula Allen, Raving Partner, Leadership and Tribal Member Development, said in a webinar that as leaders we must “honor” those who speak up, who seek change, who voice their concerns. It’s not easy to practice, but I do know that we are all leaders. It all starts with how we honor and respect each other at home, at our places of work, and in our communities. We also must honor our own feelings during this time of change.
Although I have more questions than answers, I do know that we all must push to be our best selves, to help those in need, to advocate for the voiceless in times of crisis and uncertainty as well as in times of peace and prosperity.
From all of us here at Raving, we sincerely send you our thoughts of compassion and strength, and believe that there is so much good and beauty in the world, that with optimism and integrity, we will have a better tomorrow.
Brady Scott
Raving CFO & Principal