In October 2020, AIDPH released a statement encouraging our community to vote in accordance with our collective principles of oral health equity, antiracism, and a strong adherence to improved public health infrastructure. What happened this week at our nation’s Capitol was a culmination of unfettered, historic racism and a brazen manifestation of the outcomes our systems were designed to produce. As we watch the horrendous display of violence and white supremacy, we strengthen our resolve to address the ongoing crisis of systemic racism as a priority public health issue.
Our response is guided by the calls to action from BIPOC leaders and activists across the world as we strive to amplify their work. In the words of James Baldwin: “There is never a time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment; the time is always now.” Among so much divide and derision, we heed this call to unapologetic leadership in antiracism and a commitment to racial healing. We continue to support the oral health community by creating space for growth, collaborating for collective action, and driving meaningful systems change.
In Solidarity,
Ms. Annaliese Cothron, AIDPH Executive Director
Dr. David Cappelli, AIDPH Board Chair
