Heifer International CEO Pierre Ferrari's Statement on Institutional Racism and Protests

By Pierre Ferrari

June 5, 2020

a mural of George Floyd
A new mural honoring George Floyd decorates a wall in Little Rock, Arkansas. Photo by John Whiteside

What Heifer International stands for goes beyond the direct goals of ending hunger and poverty, we advocate for dignified living for people of all races, ethnicities, religions, and identities. We unequivocally believe that all Black lives matter. 

In the last few weeks, #COVID19 and other events have laid bare the inequities in our society. There have been reports that #COVID19 has disproportionately impacted people of color, with Black Americans dying at three times the rates of whites. On top of this, the recent killing of George Floyd and others shows not all lives are treated the same and adds more pain to a world that’s trying to heal. 

We have to challenge ourselves to do better every day, starting with addressing our own internal biases and treating our neighbors equally. And above all, our systems need to change.