Like many others, we are sad, angry, demoralized, aghast and struggling to articulate what we are feeling. And in spite of great strides towards equality in the past few decades, we are now forced to acknowledge we are still a nation struggling with economic inequality and racial division.

The Dubuque Museum of Art joins in solidarity with those committed to the task of fighting systematic racism, building true equity and promoting equitable and humane treatment for all people. In Dubuque, we have been fortunate to witness peaceful protests and for those communities that have not been so fortunate, we hope you are safe and remain safe.

Recognizing that Art is a powerful tool to promote awareness of contemporary issues, we as an art museum value diversity of background, thought, and skills and are committed to giving voice to individual and collective creative expression, both past and present.

We are fully committed to listening, growing, and holding ourselves accountable in the difficult and necessary journey towards greater understanding that lies ahead.

As a start, we are sharing a link from the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture to help us all talk about race.