NASPGHAN Stands in Solidarity against Racism

Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible.  —Maya Angelou 

The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, (NASPGHAN) stands in solidarity and raises our collective voices with everyone impacted by racism, the Peaceful Protestors, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Gastroenterology, and American Gastroenterological Association, to raise awareness of and take action for justice and equality for all citizens of North America, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic status, or country of origin. 

NASPGHAN does not condone hatred, racism, or any injustices that are so motivated. We strive to always be a positive voice which is also demonstrated in our actions to respect diversity, equity, inclusion, and the value of all human lives regardless of a person’s identity.  The recent events that played out for the world to see is the latest evidence that much work remains to address inequalities in America's educational, employment, judicial, and health care systems. Racism harms everyone, including children, of all identities. If we are to progress in this country and world, we must continue the conversation to address the biases and injustices that continue to exist. We pledge to continue to work with our members on increasing unconscious bias awareness and inclusion training to benefit our community of pediatric gastroenterologists, healthcare colleagues, and patients. I hope that you will join us as we continue to use our collective voices as NASPGHAN to help our children, adolescents, and young adults learn to recognize our biases, embrace diversity, assure equity, and dismantle the injustices that racism ignites.  Let us all use the energy of the day to constructively demand tangible, real and positive change for our communities, those we serve, and for ourselves.

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality. —Martin Luther King, Jr.

Karen F. Murray, MD, FAAP, NASPGHAN-F
President, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition

Benjamin D Gold MD, FAAP, FACG, NASPGHAN-F
President-Elect, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition

Valeria C. Cohran, MD, Conrad R. Cole, MD and Rina M. Sanghavi, MD, MBA, FAAP, NASPGHAN-F
Co-Chairs of the NASPGHAN Diversity Special Interest Group, SIG
#DiversityinGI