火花的声音

A Message from Jeff Marrazzo: Thoughts on Today’s Verdict

Dear Colleagues,

Nearly a year after George Floyd’s brutal killing, a jury found former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of all charges. This trial is simply one case among many — it’s jarringly similar to the lives lost by other Black Americans.

When George Floyd was murdered last year, I shared with you that these horrors had left me with an overwhelming sense of sadness, both for our country and our City of Brotherly Love. I hoped for better days ahead but recognized that that day would not come until all people were treated without bias or discrimination. I asked you to join me to in channeling our outrage and mourning into action, with the hope that our collective passion could take steps to address racism and social injustice in Philadelphia and our communities.

While we have much more work to do, I am hopeful that the conclusion of this trial will lead to real reforms, accountability, and have a meaningful impact on all of our lives. I also want to acknowledge the uniquely profound meaning of this verdict to those in the Black community and racially marginalized groups that have experienced systemic racism firsthand. I ask you all to remember that this can be an especially stressful time and to give one another space for self-care and empathy. And please remember to also take time for yourself if you need it.

I also remain hopeful because of the collective action that is working to make this monumental change.

In the past year, millions across the country have taken to the streets to demand changes to systemic racism. Reforms at the local and state level are working to implement changes that get at the root cause of these issues. Companies and organizations in various industries have made commitments to increase their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Many individuals also have turned inward, reflected on the injustices they have seen in their lifetime and vowed to do better. Additionally, while the Black Lives Matter movement gained momentum, nonprofit organizations, like the NAACP and the Color of Change, continued to push for accountability in racial injustice.

火花also is a part of this story. We have always prided ourselves in our determination to break barriers and do things that others thought were impossible. We envision a world where no life is limited by genetic disease, and together, I believe we can work towards one where racism, discrimination and social injustice are things of the past.

我们已经开始采取措施，因为我们最近在我们的所有员工会议中概述，并将继续向我们的公司前进，以便为我们所有人提供更多样化，包容性和尊重的工作场所。

我继续感受到争取终止的紧迫感，以达到这一刻给我们带来的系统性种族主义和压迫。我希望你能和我一起做我们能够以问责制和正义为未来推动的事情。我们可以共同合作，关闭我们国家历史的本章。我们不会让这项审判是我们故事的结论。

Sincerely,

杰夫