The Open Letter
M
A Note From Marty Mayer
Just One Voice
Like you, I have been watching the recent displays of racial injustice happening in and across our country. I’ve questioned if there was anything I could say or do that would actually make a difference? And, quite honestly, I’ve hesitated for lack of knowing what to say or having my words be perceived as hollow.
However, after open and honest dialogue with family, friends and co-workers, I realize that silence is not an option for me, and does absolutely nothing to improve the situation.
As a white male growing up during the time of segregation, racial discrimination and unrest, I see how far our country has come, yet how far we have left to go. More must be done.
Why now? As I have grown older and wiser, I realize that I am just as much to blame for the inequalities and injustices of the world as anyone else. We are all guilty of the status quo mentality—it’s just the way things have always been, societal hierarchies and unspoken norms.
But these ways no longer serve our communities or us; we need to focus on real systemic change for our future. My hope is that the new generation can correct the issues created and tolerated by mine and those that came before. I view this recent public outcry and action as more than a movement, but a sea change.
I cannot presume to know what it is like growing up as a Black man in America any more than I could understand what it would be like growing up in Syria or China. Too often, we tend to look at the world and events through the lens of our own lives and draw conclusions—maybe even judgments. This is simply wrong. None of us can precisely know what’s it’s like to walk in another persons’ footsteps; we can only do our best to listen and try to understand.
And, in our aspirations to continue to listen, understand and learn, we should be guided by some inherent principles that steer our actions. My parents instilled these in me:
Character matters
Respect others and be respectful of other opinions
Listen before you speak
Speak up when you encounter wrong
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” His words are more prescient today than ever. If we don’t stand up, speak out and express our concerns about things that matter, we fail to make change.
My hope as a father, grandfather, and CEO of a company is that I can make some small difference in this world, help to create a better future for the next generations to come—a future of diversity, equality, inclusion, and passion for freedom and justice.
Although we can’t walk in someone else’s shoes or even pretend to understand what another person is going through, we can start by doing a small part to treat each other with dignity, courtesy and respect. We can be open-minded to other people’s opinions and willing to listen and learn, even if those conversations are difficult and uncomfortable at times.
I know that I am just one person, one voice, but one voice can build into a collective of voices. I choose to use my voice to speak up and stand up for that which is right.
If anyone reading this has a difference of opinion or feels uncomfortable in any way, I invite you to please reach out to me—I welcome the opportunity to listen.
Marty