A letter from Tony Porter, CEO of A Call to Men

Dear Friends,

I’m writing to you in anguish. My community — my people — are hurting. I’m hurting. Black people in America have been subjected to violence for far too long. The recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery — on top of the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black communities — have pushed us past a tipping point.   Our country — and most of our world — was built on male supremacy and white supremacy. It was intentionally done which means it can be undone. And, if enough of us come together, we can undo it. The one ray of light in this dark time is that we’re seeing an awakening and arising of a broader coalition than ever seen before to create a new world, rooted in equality and equity. President Obama said it well: “If, going forward, we can channel our justifiable anger into peaceful, sustained, and effective action, then this moment can be a real turning point in our nation’s long journey to live up to our highest ideals.”

Our work at A CALL TO MEN seeks to address intersectional oppression at its roots, and we wouldn’t be doing this work if we didn’t believe that sweeping change was possible. Some of us need to take a moment right now to grieve, to take care of ourselves and our communities, and that’s fine. If you’re able, we’re asking that you commit to take action against racism. It’s the only way forward.

Here are five actions you can take right now:

Use your influence and platform to speak out against police violence and systemic racial oppression. To be silent right now is to be complicit.

Donate to grassroots racial justice organizations. Find the people and groups who are doing the work in your community and ask them what they need. Make a donation and invite people in your networks to join you. This is especially important for men — too often, women are the ones who show up to donate and volunteer for grassroots groups. All of us are needed right now.

(Especially for white folks) Discuss antiracist organizing and action with young people in your life — here are some resources we recommend.

Join our two upcoming community gatherings on this topic:​

Our community call next Wednesday, June 10th, at 1 p.m. ETwill focus on raising Black children in the midst of racial trauma. I’ll moderate a conversation between two exceptional Black parents: my colleague Ted Bunch and Monika Johnson-Hostler, executive director of the North Carolina Coalition to End Sexual Assault. RSVP here »

YouthACT! will be hosting a call for young people on Youth and Racial Justice next Friday, June 12th, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. RSVP to join (and please share with young people in your life)

Sign up to attend our two-day Virtual Training Institute July 9-10, where we address the intersection of white supremacy and male supremacy and focus on grassroots organizing as the path forward. 

In solidarity, Tony Porter
CEO, A CALL TO MEN