Dignity.us is a Citizens’ Initiative to Address Hate-Fueled Violence in America, which was announced by a group of former Directors of the White House Domestic Policy Council from the previous three presidential administrations. The announcement took place during the United We Stand Summit, which was held at the White House to combat violence motivated by hatred. The programme, which is non-partisan, seeks to address a troubling and quickening fall in mutual trust in the United States as well as an increase in targeted hatred and violence. Hate crimes, for which records were first gathered in 1990, have reached levels not seen since the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks, and they weaken the relationships of mutual respect that are necessary for democratic self-government.
The initiative will move quickly to hear and learn from diverse points of view from around the country, including communities such as Buffalo, New York, Charleston, South Carolina, El Paso, Texas, Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, Orlando, Florida, Pittsburgh, and Uvalde, Texas, which have drawn strength and resilience from the very centre of their suffering. After that, it will conduct an analysis of the data, compile a list of suggestions based on input from throughout the country, and work expeditiously toward putting those suggestions into action. In addition, the initiative is meant to assist communities that often operate in isolation in the wake of violent acts so that individuals from different groups may work together toward a shared goal in the spirit of national unity.
Former Directors of the White House Domestic Policy Council under Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald J. Trump, respectively, are co-chairing the initiative along with John Bridgeland, Cecilia Muoz, Melody Barnes, and Joe Grogan. The initiative is supported by the presidential centres or foundations of Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, and Gerald R. Ford.
“Too many Americans today are afraid to participate in everyday life because they fear being targeted and even killed for who they are or what they believe.” “It is unfortunate that a large number of Americans see one another as adversaries in disguise, and far too many communities are mourning the loss of loved ones due to acts of hatred. Together with others who are working on this issue, we will learn from communities that have suffered hate and violence in order to increase prevention, response, resilience, and regeneration.
An apolitical coalition of foundations, including the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Kettering Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the Omidyar Network, the Open Society Foundations, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Stand Together, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and more than 40 community foundations located throughout the United States, are providing financial assistance to the initiative.
Dignity.us extends an invitation to the American public, asking them to submit their personal stories, observations, and ideas about how to combat targeted violence and divide in the United States.