MENU

Sections

  • Home
  • About
    • The Chestertown Spy
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising & Underwriting
      • Advertising Terms & Conditions
    • Editors & Writers
    • Dedication & Acknowledgements
    • Code of Ethics
    • Chestertown Spy Terms of Service
    • Technical FAQ
    • Privacy
  • The Arts and Design
  • Local Life and Culture
  • Public Affairs
    • Ecosystem
    • Education
    • Health
  • Community Opinion
  • Donate to the Chestertown Spy
  • Free Subscription
  • Talbot Spy
  • Cambridge Spy

More

  • Support the Spy
  • About Spy Community Media
  • Advertising with the Spy
  • Subscribe
May 13, 2025

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

  • Home
  • About
    • The Chestertown Spy
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising & Underwriting
      • Advertising Terms & Conditions
    • Editors & Writers
    • Dedication & Acknowledgements
    • Code of Ethics
    • Chestertown Spy Terms of Service
    • Technical FAQ
    • Privacy
  • The Arts and Design
  • Local Life and Culture
  • Public Affairs
    • Ecosystem
    • Education
    • Health
  • Community Opinion
  • Donate to the Chestertown Spy
  • Free Subscription
  • Talbot Spy
  • Cambridge Spy
Point of View Op-Ed

Statement: YMCA’s Robbie Gill on Black Lives Matter

June 10, 2020 by Robbie Gill

Share

Like most Americans, I’ve been watching in dismay and struggling with where we remain as a country. How are we still here? Why are we allowing this to continue to happen? 

From the public lynching of Matthew Williams in Salisbury, Maryland in 1931 at the hands of a mob in the Courthouse Square to the public execution of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota that the entire world has now witnessed – we’re 400 years in since the first slave ship arrived and no real track record to truly show black lives matter. 

Matthew Williams

It is time for us to listen, learn, and act. 

We strongly denounce the brutal killing of George Floyd and the thousands killed before him due to the color of their skin. 

The YMCA of the Chesapeake does not tolerate racism or violence in any form. We stand in solidarity with our black friends and neighbors in this fight against injustice. 

For nearly 170 years, the Y has listened and responded to our community’s needs.  We will continue to listen with open hearts and provide the safe spaces and outreach needed for our community to come together to have the tough conversations that once and for all dismantle systemic racism and create just and equitable communities for all. 

The Y will forever be a place where all are welcome and we will use our voice and influence to combat inequalities in each of our communities, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.  

The Y’s impact – and relevance – as a multicultural not-for-profit organization focused on strengthening community is directly tied to our efforts to fight for greater inclusion and equity for all, especially for our most marginalized communities. This work is rooted in our inclusive mission -to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.” Still, we can and will do more to support just and equitable communities. 

Our Commitment to Inclusion: The Y is made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life working side by side to strengthen communities. Together we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation, has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect and responsibility—they guide everything we do.

Robbie Gill, CEO
YMCA of the Chesapeake 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Op-Ed Tagged With: ymca

Gunston’s 109th Commencement Honors the Class of 2020 Chestertown Spy Pulse Survey #12 Results – Global Warming

Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article

We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.

Copyright © 2025

Affiliated News

  • The Cambridge Spy
  • The Talbot Spy

Sections

  • Arts
  • Culture
  • Ecosystem
  • Education
  • Health
  • Local Life and Culture
  • Spy Senior Nation

Spy Community Media

  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising & Underwriting

Copyright © 2025 · Spy Community Media Child Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in