Dear Mr. Roderick and officers of the ARRL,
As you’re aware if you’ve watched the news or participate in social media, there has been a large and appropriate response to the murder of Black Americans by police officers taking place over the last several days. Our society is being traumatized by the systemic, institutional racism that pervades the structures that govern and rule our citizenry. Our Black neighbors live in fear every second of every day that their name will be the next that needs to be remembered. That their son or daughter may be the next Black citizen murdered in the streets by people who swore to protect them.
As leaders, you have a responsibility to Black ARRL members and hams to openly and loudly affirm that they are safe from racism and discrimination within the ARRL. That you vehemently oppose and condemn the actions of the police officer in Minneapolis who murdered George Floyd in cold blood, along with the hundreds who went before him.
I am writing to you as a fellow ham and member of your organization to request that the ARRL take a stance against racial injustice. Events over the last few weeks have caused me to reflect on what organizations I choose to support and what organizations represent me. It has also made me reflect on the hobby as a whole being a predominately white, male hobby. It is imperative, no, necessary that organizations such as yourselves take a firm stance against racism, against police brutality, against the needless killing of black people in America and to take corrective actions to address these systemic issues.
Like you, I care deeply for the future of amateur radio and for the ARRL and as such its representative body should be future-facing. I care about, and indeed you should too care about what the ARRL represents. Does it represent the status quo and everything that has brought us to this moment or does it represent the future? We should be working towards a future that empowers black voices and allows them to be heard on the air and off the air. Ask yourself how, for example, a black person interested in amateur radio would feel if the ARRL takes no stance and by its silence tacitly supports the continued genocide of black americans? Saying nothing makes you complicit in the structures of white supremacy, and alienates potential black hams from joining your organization. I want to see amateur radio thrive, and I want it to be more representative of this diverse and beautiful country. That will not happen unless the problem is recognized and addressed by everyone. I implore you to take the following actions towards being inclusive and anti racist:
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Release a statement condemning recent instances of police brutality against Black Americans, and affirm your stance as being an organization that aims to be inclusive of all races.
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Develop a plan to address systemic racism within ARRL’s organizational structure.
Ignoring this is not an option. We do a deep disservice to ourselves by turning a blind eye and pretending that these events aren’t impacting all of us, particularly our Black members and their families.I am asking this of you because I care deeply about amateur radio. We have a responsibility and we must stay true to our values. If the ARRL is truly a great organization to be a part of, we must continue to prove it. Our members deserve this, our culture deserves this. To this end, there are many anti racism educators that make a living by doing this work and it would behoove the ARRL to pay for them to come in and teach on what is happening. I have recommendations and references for these educators.
As a member, I’m ready to help craft a response. Please feel free to contact me. I look forward to being part of the response and reminding ARRL members and hams everywhere that we care about their safety, wellbeing, and right to exist and live free from racism and injustice.
Sincerely,
Christopher Broholm
KC3MGF