Letter to the Editor: Because Race Matters

Because race matters, thank you to the 150-plus visitors who toured the Color Brave Photo Project: Black and Brown Voices, A New Narrative exhibit at Hope United Church of Christ two weeks ago. Your presence that weekend, your engagement with the photographs and personal narratives, and your commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive Door County gives us all hope for the future. Because race matters, thank you to Fit Oshkosh, Inc. and its executive director, Tracey Robertson, for creating this powerful exhibit and for entrusting it to our community for a weekend visit – and for being present with us to discuss it. Because race matters, thank you to our co-sponsors – Hope UCC, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County, and the Door County Civility Project – who helped us share these heartwarming – and sometimes, heartbreaking – personal stories with our families, friends, and neighbors. Because race matters, thank you to all the local media outlets that deeply and honestly reported on the exhibit and on our community’s need to confront the reality that all of our residents, all of our workers, and all of our visitors do not always feel welcomed here in Door County.

Because race matters, JUST Door County, Inc. commits to asking the hard questions, facilitating the uncomfortable discussions, and fostering meaningful actions to make everyone welcomed and included here. And because race matters, I hope you will join us.

Kathleen Toerpe, Executive Director, JUST Door County, Inc.

Baileys Harbor, Wis.