To the Editor:

YWCA Princeton founded Stand Against Racism more than 10 years ago. Personally, I came to this work in 2016 when my despair at our nation’s future made me unable to passionately work for any other purpose. In the years since, what I have learned is best summed up by Shay-Akil McLean, PhD (@hood_biologist): “I’m waiting for people to catch on to the fact that the work of unlearning racism is mostly internal. This is easy to recognize once you peep that you can’t & won’t act any different if you can’t identify racism within yourself.”

Next week I will be participating in YWCA Princeton’s virtual Stand Against Racism Run/Walk by walking every morning from July 27 through August 10 at Princeton’s Community Park track at 8 a.m. — rain or shine. The purpose of the run/walk is to raise money and awareness for YWCA Princeton racial justice work.

Please come join in, walk alongside me (with a mask of course), and let’s have a conversation about racial justice. Or donate at www.ywcaprinceton.org/donate to financially support YWCA Princeton’s ongoing work. Even better, sign up yourself for the run/walk at www.ywcaprinceton.org/runwalk and start your own campaign!

To learn more about the history of YWCA Princeton’s Stand Against Racism and for anti-racism resources, visit www.ywcaprinceton.org/stand.

Julie Sullivan-Crowley
Director of Operations, YWCA Princeton