Media channels worldwide have reported on the tragic death of an Afro-American U.S. citizen, which was once again caused by lethal police brutality. Yet, such acts of violence are just the tip of the iceberg.  The asphyxiation death of George Floyd is the fatal consequence of deeply rooted systemic racism and injustice in the United States. However, it is convenient to believe that this is a foreign problem, a sad reality experienced by others. But the inconvenient truth is: Racism knows no borders.

In 2018, the Federal Statistical Office published figures on racism and integration in Switzerland. According to the study, 59% of the population considered the question of racism in Switzerland to be a serious to very serious social problem. In 2019, 352 cases of racism were reported to the relevant counselling centres in Switzerland (excluding official offence reports). That is a 27 % increase to the previous year (source: Federal Commission against Racism).

Evidently, Switzerland has to address the issue of racism among its population as well. Generally speaking, Renee Karibi-Whyte from the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors states: « (…) among many of the more privileged such as most of us in philanthropy, there is no understanding of how deeply entrenched White Supremacy is in the roots of our society » (source: Breathing Through Injustice: Philanthropy’s Call to Action). Thus, solving a problem starts initially with acknowledging and understanding it. Gone are the days when mere condemnation and shaking-heads over headlines were an option. Foundations have public trust because they work towards the common good. This position leaves them with the power and responsibility to be drivers of urgent change. We therefore recommend reading the practical guide: Grantmaking with a racial justice lense, published by the Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity in December 2019.

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