WASHINGTON–Credit unions, CU leaders and other organizations across the country have issued a number of statements and taken to Twitter to express their thoughts and responses to the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer and the resulting protests over treatment of African-Americans by police.
NCUA Chairman Rodney Hood shared a particularly personal response to Floyd’s treatment and death.
Among those responses:
- NAFCU CEO Dan Berger tweeted, “I love our country. We have some major flaws, but I for one will work every day to improve it.” Berger included the hashtag #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd.
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CUNA CEO Jim Nussle, who was also active on Twitter, issued a statement saying, “George Floyd’s death at the hands of a police officer has sparked civil unrest across our nation as Americans grapple with pain, fear and anger following this unspeakable tragedy. We are calling on the unified voice of the credit union movement to reject apathy and choose empathy as we rally against systemic racism directed toward the African American community."
“CUNA is committed to being a catalyst for change and advocates against social injustice. As member-owned financial cooperatives with the philosophy of ‘people helping people,’ credit unions are uniquely positioned to lead the financial services industry down the path of financial inclusion — a vital gateway to breaking down socioeconomic barriers that divide our country.” -
- NCUA Chairman Rodney E. Hood issued a statement that said, “As the first African-American to lead a federal banking agency, I feel compelled to speak following the tragic death of George Floyd. Over the past few months, communities across the country have been overwhelmed with challenge and uncertainty. Besides being on the heels of a global pandemic, we are also experiencing heightened levels of strife following yet another instance of abuse of authority and violence against a black man.
“For me, these discussions are more than simply abstracts — they are personal to me. In my banking career, I’ve attended conferences and professional events where I was the only man of color in the room. I’ve shown up early to speak on a panel discussion, and people were surprised to learn that I was a participant. I vividly remember the conversations with my father about how to engage with police when pulled over, and my mother performing safety checks on my car before I went out on the weekends to ensure the signal lights and brake lights were all functioning properly. In 2020, I find myself having similar conversations with my young African-American cousins.
“As an African-American man, I am shocked and appalled and share the heartbreak of many in the black community. I am all too familiar with the anger and frustration that comes with the everyday challenges and realities surrounding race. While I pray for justice, healing, and peace for our nation and for the family and loved ones of George Floyd, I am also encouraging everyone to have difficult conversations and to look for ways to promote diversity and inclusion within our communities. Individually and collectively, we can make a difference — one conversation and relationship at a time.
“At the NCUA, we are striving for ways to lead on these issues. One of the top priorities for my chairmanship is financial inclusion which means expanded access to the financial mainstream for underserved communities as well as diverse hiring, contracting and board membership. I also called for the creation of the NCUA Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion Council to focus on issues of inclusion within the agency. True inclusion within our financial regulators, financial institutions and communities is a goal we all must strive towards. Diversity is important, but without cultural change that encourages true inclusion, it risks being little more than checking the right boxes.”
- MSU FCU in Michigan tweeted, “We stand with and support our black and minority employees, members and community. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” MSU FCU added, “We stand in solidarity against racism, violence, and injustice. And we are committed to raising our voices and being part of the solution.”
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- CUNA economist Jordan van Rijn tweeted out a list of books he said he has found “helpful to better understand racism in our society, reflect on my own unconscious biases and support my children in their own journey.”
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Children’s Miracle Network tweeted a long statement: “As an organization committed to the well-being of children and families across this country, we are children’s miracle network hospitals are both saddened and outraged by the tragic death of George Floyd and the racial injustice is continuing to play our country. To the black community, we stand alongside you in protest of racial inequalities. We join you in solidarity to make change. We unite our voice with yours to ignite a heightened conversation and hate and racism in this country.
“As an organization committed to the well-being of children and families across this country, we at children’s miracle network hospitals are both saddened and outraged by the tragic death of George Floyd and the racial injustice is continuing to play our country. To the black community, we stand alongside you in protest of racial inequalities. We join you in solidarity to make change. We unite our voice with yours to ignite a heightened conversation and hate and racism in this country.
“Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, in our work to improve the health of children and families through the support of local children’s hospitals, has always been committed to help every child and family in need, regardless of race, gender, orientation or means. Children are our promise for a better future. When we ensure all children can lead healthy, productive lives in support of communities, we foster the caring inclusive an equitable leaders of tomorrow when we can change kids health, we can change the future for all of users. Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, in our work to improve the health of children and families through the support of local children’s hospitals, has always been committed to help every child and family in need, regardless of race, gender, orientation or means. Children are our promise for a better future. When we ensure all children can lead healthy, productive lives in support of communities, we foster the caring inclusive an equitable leaders of tomorrow when we can change kids health, we can change the future for all of us.” -
- Fiserv tweeted, “our hearts are heavy as the nation reacts to the senseless death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Together, we have an opportunity to protect the rights of everyone, equally, for the betterment of the communities in which we live and work. As an organization, we denounce and will not tolerate any form of discrimination. Within Fiserv, we choose to be led by our values and to create a diverse, respectful and inclusive workplace. We are unified by our shared experiences and know that our differences make us stronger. We choose to stand together to help move the world forward.”