The Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. is impressive. Along the top of the building is inscribed the phrase, “Equal Justice Under Law.” The four words are  a reflection that our democracy rests on the foundation of the Rule of Law. The Rule of Law demands that everyone be treated equally, as enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. The 14th Amendment, along with the 13th and 15th Amendments, were all related to ending slavery in the United States. It grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in this country; declares that states may not deny any person life, liberty or property, without due process of law; and that a state may not deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

It is with great sadness that we see those fundamental rights being denied to the Black Community, with horrible, senseless and fatal acts of prejudice. It is shocking and incomprehensible that in 2020, events such as these, and hate crimes overall, still occur.

“We stand in solidarity with the Black Community”

We stand in solidarity with the Black Community that is seeking justice, peace and the ability to live free from fear engendered by the happenstance of the color of their skin. It is the inherent and basic human right to live in peace. That freedom is anchored in equal justice under the law.

To help support that effort, Strateos has donated $20,000 to the NAACP. I have also made a personal contribution of $5,000 to that organization. We can also help by doing our part at Strateos by building a culture of diversity, inclusion, outreach and equality at all levels of the company.  At the center of dealing with the current crisis, the NAACP is focused on the elimination of discrimination and has a clear vision for equal rights for all persons.

My direct hope is that this vision can happen now.

Best, Mark

Please also consider supporting the NAACP's essential work https://www.naacp.org/

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Vision Statement

The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.

Objectives

The following statement of objectives is found on the first page of the NAACP Constitution – the principal objectives of the Association shall be:

• To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens
• To achieve equality of rights and eliminate race prejudice among the citizens of the United States
• To remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes
• To seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws securing civil rights
• To inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and to seek its elimination
• To educate persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful action to secure the exercise thereof, and to take any other lawful action in furtherance of these objectives, consistent with the NAACP’s Articles of Incorporation and this Constitution

Mark Fischer-Colbrie

President, CEO

Strateos, Inc.