Voices That Matter

The ASBA “Voices That Matter Campaign” was created to honor voices, emotions and experiences on racial injustice in the United States.
ASBA condemns racism and police brutality against black people. Along with our community, we mourn the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the endless list of black lives lost as a direct result of racism, white supremacy, and systemic oppression.
Black, brown and other underrepresented voices in our schools must be amplified. This campaign is one opportunity to do this and help our staff and members express themselves and heal through these difficult times.

Chris Kotterman

ASBA Director of Governmental Relations

I have come to appreciate the value of lived experience. I believe greatly in the power of empathy, and I used to think it was unfair that people didn’t believe me when I said I wanted to understand their perspective, or think that was sufficient.

Over time, I realized that my friends of color and other people of color were having substantially different experiences in exactly the same spaces as me. I didn’t always see it unless they told me. This reinforced for me the value of diversity of people, rather than just a diversity of perspectives.