[Editors Note: The text below was sent to all RingCentral Employees this morning. This issue demands the attention of everyone, as such, we are sharing our employee communication with everyone.]
We all have sleepless nights. Problems big and small – worries real or imagined – racing thoughts that just won’t slow. Sometimes they just take over, leaving us to toss and turn.
The uncertainty of the last few months has all of us thinking existentially… Our health. Our safety. Our Community. The health and safety of our loved ones. Making sense of a world that has changed overnight. Pain. Loss. Isolation. All feelings and concerns that, even in the best of times, are never conducive to a good night’s rest.
I too, have my share of nights staring at the ceiling wishing sleep to come. Last night was one of them. The stories of a jogger, a refusal to knock, a bird watcher, and cries of “I can’t breathe” – ignored raced through my mind.
America’s cities are in protest. We add our voice in support of the Black community across America – in support of all minority communities.
Above all, we raise our voices to hope. Protests will eventually cease. When they do, the injustice and bigotry will not – not until we all become part of the change.
While I am far from understanding the issues completely, I do know this – we need to listen more. Our Black colleagues, family, and friends need our support. They may look like they’re okay – but chances are they’re not. Over the last few months, African Americans have found themselves, their friends, and their family at higher risk of COVID-19. They have watched in despair as people like themselves are targeted just for the color of their skin.
At RingCentral, we are committed to equality. To listening. To compassion. To standing up against violence. To supporting each other and our communities. We are currently renewing our focus on Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). We are making a donation to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) – America’s top legal firm fighting for racial justice and equality. These are small steps in engaging the community and being part of the change. We’ll continue
The goal is to listen and learn, then leverage those learnings to take a stand and act on behalf of RingCentral for social and racial justice. We’ve asked all employees to participate in this journey
My seven-year-old daughter reads, she listens to those around her, she watches the news. She is keenly aware of the world around her. She is also inquisitive. This weekend she asked me why there was so much violence; she asked me why we can’t all live in peace. I fumbled. Embarrassed. I found I could not answer. Because – there is no reason why.
It’s up to all of us to root out racism and social injustice in all its forms. There is no reason good enough for violence. It’s up to all of us to stand up for Diversity and Inclusion and leave the world in a more peaceful, non-violent, and inclusive place for the next generation. We are all better for it.
Never stay quiet,
Anand Eswaran
President, COO RingCentral
Originally published Jun 01, 2020, updated Jan 30, 2023
