Statement in response to August 21 article from Buzzfeed News
For Immediate Release: Aug. 28, 2020 (Updated: Aug. 28, 2020, 8 a.m.)
On August 21, Buzzfeed News published an article reporting on racism across the reproductive health movement, NARAL, and Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood of Illinois was referenced in the article, however, no specifics were provided, nor was PPIL contacted by the reporter. At this time, we do not know the specific nature of the complaint.
Despite not having the details of this particular incident, we recognize that Planned Parenthood has been complicit in upholding systemic racism. Moving forward, PPIL is deeply committed to being anti-racist and ensuring that our work is not performative, that there is no divide between our words and actions. As part of this work, we’ve created spaces for honest conversations about race and are providing multiple channels through which staff have opportunities to share their lived experiences with leadership.
PPIL is actively listening and addressing issues so that, together, we can end implicit bias and structural racism within our organization at all levels.