Last week, @BuzzFeed published a piece on racism within reproductive rights orgs. Since then, many former Planned Parenthood National Office staff have spoken up about their own experiences.

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To everyone who shared their stories, or saw pieces of their own in these accounts, I want to say: I hear you, I see you, I feel you, and I’ve been there too.

We have real work ahead of us to ensure staff feel safe and valued, particularly our staff of color who are asked to represent and advocate for the mission, while often quietly shouldering the accountability work inside.

They do that work quietly because speaking up often comes at a personal cost.

Too many people of color, particularly Black women, face unfair backlash for speaking truth to power.

To be clear, the incredible Black, Latina, and other staff of color who fight relentlessly for sexual and reproductive health and access to abortion shouldn’t also have to do the extra work of fighting racial hierarchy –– and we owe them a debt of gratitude. Thank you.

Shifting culture requires building the competencies and skill sets to create belonging. We need to be intentional, actionable, data-driven, and build internal and public accountability.

We know white supremacy limits sexual and reproductive health. We must fight to eradicate it @PPFA.

Our freedom depends on it, and our mission demands it.