As you know, Lake Washington Physical Therapy lives by our mission of partnering through community and philanthropy. That includes the futures of all who live in the communities we serve, regardless of where they come from.
I have been deeply saddened and disturbed by the events of the last few weeks. The terrible murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the understandable outpouring of sorrow and anger, and the demonstrations that followed. Locally some of the genuine protests have often been overshadowed by rioting and looting in some media outlets. I join our Kirkland community’s call for an end to racism in this country. This is not a new call unfortunately, but maybe this time it is louder.
Privilege
“Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible — even if you’re choking on it — until you let the sun in. Then you see it’s everywhere. As long as we keep shining that light, we have a chance of cleaning it wherever it lands. But we have to stay vigilant, because it’s always still in the air.”
As a white man that was raised in lower middle class in a predominately white area this is a time to listen. Listen to the opinion of friends, colleagues, and co-workers that are not white. Appreciate the sustained and sometime herculean effort that it took to even get to the playing field. Appreciate that many times there are no boot-straps to even reach for. Privilege is so pervasive not only for white folks, but also for American’s in general. Remember that saying that there is “white privilege” does not mean you did not struggle or have to work hard to get where you are this moment. What is does mean is that the color of your skin was not the first obstacle or variable in you striving for your success and happiness.
There will be a time to partner and lead in the future, but listening is the greatest respect you can have. No white person, through no fault of their own can speak to the struggle of our African American brothers and sisters, but we can appreciate what they are saying now again by listening.
Lean into Forward
““It can’t be ‘normal.’ If we want our children to grow up in a nation that lives up to its highest ideals, we can and must be better,””
My company’s values guide us in responding to the circumstances we are now facing and to help our communities move forward. Our investment in homelessness, education, training, and giving has helped guide me as a person. I believe affirming the dignity of a fellow human and treating each individual we encounter with care and compassion is the right place to start and where we have always been. The only way to effectively address the most difficult issues of our time is with integrity. We have to speak and act honestly and in ways that build trust with one another. As a parent of bi-racial child I hold the civil rights for all races more personal than some. Seeing the world through someone you love who does not look like you has been an awakening. Aspirational hopes for the next generation take hold in my thoughts daily and the opportunities they will or will not be afforded. Building a more perfect community starts today.
“I would advise you to just listen and seek to understand. Don’t be so quick judge or question motives, because there is no way that you have the background or knowledge to fully understand. Being black in America is THAT different than being white. We live in two completely different worlds with different rules, so it is not helpful to attempt to apply rules from your world into mine. Just listen and seek to understand. I am begging you...”
Kindness is Contagious
At LWPT, genuine kindness matters in all interactions. Kindness and compassion guide the way we listen, the way we plan, the way we engage, and the way we live, paramount to being a quality human being and also an effective physical therapist. These values were taught to me as a child while my parents exposed me to cultures around the globe. At universities around the country values were reinforced throughout our training as physical therapists and healthcare workers. It includes how we treat our patients and how our staff treats each other. It includes addressing our own anxieties and fears and not isolating ourselves from friends and those we trust to discuss and process how we are feeling and what we can do to respond.
Events like those of the past week are what drives LWPT to renew our commitment to addressing the inequities in our communities and any that reside in our own organization. We believe everyone deserves the same opportunities to live a healthy life, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion or socioeconomic status. When this is achieved all boats rise and a community can prosper and reach it’s full potential. Our clinics have strived to be a safe place where diversity is welcomed in all it’s forms. I acknowledge the poor diversity in the healthcare system as a whole but through our mentorship programs we have attempted to help produce a healthcare team that looks more like America’s mosaic.
I and our team stand with the Kirkland community in the fight against racism and injustice. We stand with those who call for respect in our relationships with one another, for integrity in what we do and how we do it, and for treating one another with kindness and compassion. We believe that we can work together to create a fair, just, and healthy community one that is shared by all and is true to our highest calling and values.