Coming Up For Air

JT Scott | 06/08/2020 | 1

Hi folks. It’s been a long week.

I spent last Sunday night, like many of you, watching our region and our nation begin to catch fire as we moved in larger numbers to demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many others. It has been a long week of watching disproportionate and militarized response to the simple request for police to stop killing Black people – one which reminds us yet again that the response to left-wing protestors is also frequently violent and even more dangerous now during a global pandemic.

Black Lives Matter. Of course, we stand with the movement and our hearts are with every person in the street demanding change. We are all doing our part, and we fear for the people we love who are most at risk.

Speaking for myself, I didn’t make any posts last week on the blog – entirely because I’ve been spending all week working with Black and Brown organizers on systemic responses to this, including defunding the Somerville Police Department and creating legislation establishing both an independent civilian Police Commission to oversee the SPD’s policies and procedures, and a Community Police Review Agency to investigate complaints of police misconduct and recommend discipline. I’ve been letting my responsibilities as a legislator override my responsibilities as a business owner, and its important to do both. I’m sorry you haven’t heard from me sooner.

Last night was a vigil organized and led exclusively by POC here in Somerville. If you’ve got an hour, watch it. If you’ve only got 8 minutes – about the time an officer spent kneeling on George Floyd’s neck – start at the 33:30 mark in the video and listen to Kenia lay out the simple and clear demands for what Somerville is long overdue to do to address parts of the problem here.

When returning from the #JustUs vigil in East Somerville last night I got some messages bringing larger CrossFitHQ-related issues to my attention. That needs a response as well, and one that (like all decisions at CFSV) I’ll need to discuss with the coaches first. Again: I’ve allowed my role in city government to take priority over speaking out about all of this as a neighborhood business, and that’s not good. I’m going to come up for air a bit on it this week, and I’ll have more to say in a few days in an email to all members.

Along with that email will also come a survey with questions about your concerns and priorities around re-opening, as we continue to work with local and state regulatory constraints and figure out how to make an environment where this box can help you stay fit while also keeping you safe. 

In the meantime, it’s going to be a lovely day outside. We’re all lucky to be looking at the dirt the right side up. Let’s try to get out there and move.  The workout is simple: a 3-mile run with burpees every half-mile. If you remember the Rangeways post from back in early April, you’ll have simple landmarks to help remind you when it’s time to hit the deck. 

Thanks for bearing with us, thanks for all that you’re doing to support your neighbors, thanks for staying safe. We love y’all.

WOD:
Run 3 Miles
 * every half mile, perform 20 burpees