NECA Statement Against Racism

National Employment Counseling Association (NECA) Leadership team vehemently endorses statements put forth by the American Counseling Association (ACA) concerning multiculturalism, ethics, and equity.

NECA reacts with abhorrence and repugnance regarding the grip that racism has had on this nation and the world. Racism is not only a national problem, but a global issue that concerns every country, culture, and individual who lives and works on this Earth.

Racism is not a new struggle and many of us have witnessed atrocities that stream from decade to decade. This month, however, racism pushed its might to dangerous limits to attain treacherous heights manifesting in distorted systems, mindsets, and life-threatening violence. Racism has reached an extreme level that has infected the law and the manner in which justice operates. All states must condemn ideologies and mindsets that harm human beings and society as a whole. Legal mandates by themselves are not enough because they do not address mindsets and attitudes. Legal mandates must have swift and severe consequences, and especially for those in power. NECA supports counselors and professionals that are vigilant in upholding human rights for all people regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, or culture.

NECA’s fight against racism initiates a new narrative on human rights education in the workplace and one that begins with diversity and identity. We are committed to holding discussions on how racism manifests itself explicitly and implicitly into violence and xenophobia. We are committed to investigate and rectify its effects and how mindsets and attitudes can be countered. We are committed to stand against an old narrative from social media, news, Hollywood, music, and the Internet in how they portray differences. We will do “what it takes” to do “what needs to be done” to defeat racism and intolerance. We are committed to ending racially segregated research by highlighting human rights laws and affirmative measures to end disparities in employment, health care, and education that have prevailed for much too long in history.

Our hearts go out to all of those affected by the murder of George Floyd and many others. As an organization we align with the black community and believe black lives matter. We understand the implications of silence and choose to amplify our voices by holding systems and leaders accountable.

In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “We’re going to stand up amid horses. We’re going to stand up right here, amid the belly-clubs. We’re going to stand up right here amid police dogs, if they have them. We’re going to stand up amid tear gas! We’re going to stand up amid anything they can muster up, letting the world know that we are determined to be free!”