Buffalo/Niagara Tragedy Recognition





Message From InterConnect



 

Hello InterConnect Community,
 
When we began writing this letter we wanted to address our feelings about the shooting in Buffalo because it will now be a part of our identity at InterConnect. However, we cannot ignore the tragic deaths of 19 children and their two teachers in Uvalde, TX. Once again our hearts are broken by this senseless killing.
 
When we visited Buffalo and Niagara this last March, every member of our board and our staff fell a little bit in love. The area is beyond beautiful and so many of the people we met welcomed us like old friends. We can barely express what an amazing community we entered. It is with that in mind that we want to extend our love for those we met and express how heartbroken we are over the racially-motivated killing of ten Black community members of the Buffalo community.

Once again, America’s Black community has been targeted by a mass shooting. Once again, the Community bears the brunt of the racism which permeates our country. It is so important for our Intersex Community to recognize that this racism affects our members as well. It makes it that much harder to travel to be with all of us.
 
For many, our first impulse is to wonder what we can do. We encourage you to find ways to give directly to the community affected the most - the Black community of Buffalo. This Twitter thread has some wonderful ideas for ways to make a serious impact.
 
We want to remember and recognize the lives of the ten Black Buffalo community members whose lives were cut needlessly short by this act of racism. Read more about their lives, as well as words of remembrance HERE.
 

Ruth Whitfield, 86
Roberta Drury, 32
Aaron Salter, 55
Heyward Patterson, 67
Pearl Young, 77
Geraldine Talley, 62
Celestine Chaney, 65
Katherine Massey, 72
Margus Morrison, 52
Andre Mackneil, 53

 
We are reminded again and again that no one should feel unsafe to travel, gather, or shop because of racism. The shooting in Uvalde, Texas recently reminds us that even the youngest of those we love are not safe. The hate, white supremacy and terrorism that fueled these attacks is abhorrent and has no place in our communities. It is imperative that we recognize and root out white supremacy in our nation, communities, and personal lives.
 
We hope that our conference will be a light in the community, as we participate with humility and gratitude in the amazing Buffalo/Niagara area.
 
In community,
InterConnect Board + Staff

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