Our Commitment is to Justice
OATS and Senior Planet are based on the idea that justice and decency can be advanced through collective action. We stand against the violence that our country has historically and presently tolerated against the Black community and we stand in support of those who are fighting for change.
For many years, we have maintained that our work is about more than simply helping older adults learn and use technology. It’s about education, service, health, engagement—but at its essence, our commitment is to justice, the idea that every human being has equal claim to dignity and fair treatment and security.
As activists, we are acutely aware that our nation is falling short of its promise. The recent episodes of brutality and murder against Black individuals—George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless others—are intolerable and represent simply the latest chapter in a centuries-old history of racial violence and oppression.
We stand with those who demand change. Progress toward racial justice and human rights for the Black community is progress for all of us. OATS and Senior Planet are committed to serving as a haven for those who are threatened by violence or injustice, and we are fighting to change institutions and practices that harm vulnerable and marginalized populations.
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Comments
I am 90 years old. I have been scammed for 16 years and because I am Black; this scam has affected my entire life; mentally, physically, financially et al.
I’m concerned about women, especially who do not believe that our society is being led by people with determined minds and means to put their knees on Black people’s by any means possible and the older the more vulnerable.
There are more ways to smother our lives than with guns and knees there are finances – just an example: One has worked, bought a home through sacrifices; and retired to do the things that one has worked for all of their lives; debt free and decides to get a car. And based on an application’s forgery through a reputable company with my signature the debt was increased from $140.00 to $140,000.00 and funded debts that I did not owe.
At the time this happened I was 74 years old answered a Radio Ad and today I am paying over $1200 per month from my Retired Pay for debts that I did not owe.
I have been fighting this scam for 16 years with at least four reputable financial companies supporting one another against me. Their word against a Black senior citizen.
Injustice runs rampart in Denver against Blacks, Systemic racism was happening to me even before the action was named. Subtle racism prevails among the affluent against people of color.
I am new to Senior Planet. I grew up in Colorado during the 60’s and now in my 60s work as a lawyer and filmmaker in Philadelphia. I had my choice of joining various Senior Planets- NY, Palo Alto, but chose Denver because of my roots. ( Also Philly doesn’t have a Senior Planet :)
As an African American woman I am sad to see some of the earlier comments from the few who want no part of this organization because it is seen as ” advocacy” or taking a stand on “race and justice”.
But then I remembered that we often overlook all the positive comments and highlight only the negative. Conversations about race, ageism and gender are vital and the overwhelming majority of positive, affirmative comments from everyone here lets me know this is a community I look forward to participating in -albeit virtually.
To Renee Yvette Chenault Fattah:
One of my difficulties is: I have had four attorneys. My evidence is valid but the attorneys do one of two things: (1) afraid to go forward (2) Lack the ability (3) they say one thing and believe another (4) I want an attorney who is loyal and believe with the evidence that I have will forge ahead under one of the agencies that stand for justice.
You don’t realize how difficult this is to find? Lawyers listen to me and take my money and then decide that I’m at fault except this last action. One of the defendants came forward and the attorney wanted to be released because she had rigged up a plot, through forgery and theft from my computer that she could prove a difference that wasn’t true. So she more or less asked to be released and at the same time one of the defendants wanted to talk. She would not share this information with me. I reported her to the Regulatory Agency.
I have had Colorado Legal Services (Jose Vasquez) hear my problem. He tells me that one of the defendants is on the Board of Directors of the of the banks I am in dispute with. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) tells me I have been scammed and I need a lawyer. I’ve written my Congresswoman, The Governor, The Mayor, My Councilwoman as well as the Denver Post to no avail. They just will not go after the culprit. I even filed cases in Denver District Court which were dismissed without my input. This is worth defending and it will make a difference for any one with the gall to be patient and forge ahead. I am looking for that person on a Pro Bono basis. It will be worth the effort. I assure you! Alruth
Thank you Senior Planet for speaking up it is certainly needed. Can you believe that in this 21st Century they were unable to pass a Bill against Lynching? This happened about a week and a half ago in our U S Senate. I grew up in a small town in Tennessee during Segregation (yes I saw the “colored” signs along with many more and attended separate schools where my parents had to purchase my books “used” that the White students had used ( theirs were free) but my parents had to pay for the used ones, they were not cheap. My father working fifty hours per week for less than fifty dollars per week. It’s so difficult to look at some of the same situations today with little/no change. You go shopping and are followed throughout the store, etc. Yes, that happens here in Denver, Colorado, not to me but to several
people I know.
Again, thank you for speaking out because we desperately need some constructive Changes. I grew up in a small Tennessee Town North of Memphis, after over eighty years, not many changes have taken place, not enough space to list them. I believe in the worth of Every Human being and that we all have Civil Rights, not to be treated like an animal.
Thank you for allowing me to vent. Please keep up these great discussions and classes. Senior Planet is great!!
I am glad to hear this and commend Senior Planet. I would like to know the specific actions SP are planning to be an ongoing voice for change.
Hi Wayne,
We have formed an internal working group that is focusing on finalizing the next steps for our commitment to justice. We will be updating our community once those plans are finalized.
Thank you!
Thanks. Blacks fundamental right to life continued to be denied. The March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom in 1963 addressed the economic reality deterring Blacks from exercising their fundamental rights for liberty & the pursuit of life. This this more widely expressed understanding that Blacks are deprived of their right to life when murdered by policemen furthers the principles on which America was established. No life should be taken without due process.