Statement from the Opportunity Lab Directors on George Floyd and the recent demonstrations around the country

06/03/2020 

Dear friends and colleagues:

The murder of George Floyd, and the recent demonstrations in cities around the country, are shining a necessary light on the persistence of longstanding inequities and racist practices in the criminal justice system and American society more broadly. As are many of you, we are sickened by the acute acts of violence against black citizens we have witnessed in the last weeks, and we know these are only the latest examples in an ongoing struggle to ensure bodily safety and economic security for communities of color. 

All of us at the Opportunity Lab wish to express our solidarity with the Black community and with those working at the front lines to demonstrate and advocate on behalf of those most at risk during this moment of crisis. 

We are dedicated to engaging in research and outreach to help build a more fair and equitable society. At the Opportunity Lab we are all reflecting at this moment about how we can be most impactful as we do the work to undo racist policies and systems and to develop more robust protections for our most vulnerable communities. If we can be helpful in any way in connecting you with research or resources toward those goals, or if you wish to share ideas or questions, please do be in touch.

-Ben Handel and Hilary Hoynes