A Message from SGIM Executive Leadership and Staff on Racial Inequality

 , June 02, 2020

The Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) stands against racial injustice, inequality, white supremacy, or police violence of any kind. SGIM vehemently condemns the brutal murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the countless others. We refuse to be silent in the face of callous injustice. We recognize the gravity of the current state of our world and the importance of taking a stance in support of historically oppressed people. Silence has never been a solution to injustice. We refuse for our silence to amplify the voices of oppression.

SGIM’s vision is a just system of care in which all people can achieve optimal health. As a professional society of general internists, our members witness the direct effects that systematic racism has on our country’s healthcare systems and populations. As long as black and brown lives continue to be oppressed– this vision cannot be realized. A just system of care demands a just humanity.

It is simply not enough to state that Black Lives Matter. We must also be willing to openly face and address uncomfortable truths. SGIM stands against racism and hate in all its forms and we call on our community of physicians to stand together on this issue.

We encourage our community to:

• Educate yourself and your fellow colleagues, family and friends on the historic inequity and inequality of black and brown people.
• Publicly speak up against racism, discrimination, and bias at every instance.
• Work to foster an inclusive and diverse workplace by creating equal opportunities for black and brown people to combat racial employment disparities.
• Validate the experiences of those who have suffered the consequences of racial injustice while acknowledging their pain and grief.
• Research, support, and partner with organizations doing the essential work to dismantle structural racism and create a better future for all.

This is the time for us all to do our part to create a world that we can be proud of.

This is the time for humanity.

We see and hear you. We support you. We stand with you. We will not be silent.

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” – Ida B. Wells