Letter from CEO, Dave Powers
Deckers Family,
I write today with a heavy heart. While I do not personally know what it is like to see the lives of family or those who look like me threatened daily, I ache for all of those feeling pain, rage, fear, anger, helplessness, exhaustion, defeat, and more. Our Black colleagues, friends and families have carried this weight for far too long and I am deeply sorry for the injustice they continue to encounter, living without the fundamental sense of safety that many of us experience daily through our privilege – whether going for a run, sitting in our homes, or simply speaking our minds. They are excluded.
The death of George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers who did nothing as he told them he couldn’t breathe, as he begged them to stop, has been yet another painful reminder that our society is systemically unjust and values the lives of people of color differently than white lives. The reminders are constant: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery… and these are only in the last several weeks. There are countless more names, microaggressions, and other overt and covert acts that are tragically commonplace.
Enough is enough. We can no longer ignore what’s happening because it makes us uncomfortable. We can’t pretend racism doesn’t exist, or that it doesn’t touch our communities. Because it does. And we each have an obligation to show up. We have to stand up. We have to transfer the benefits of our privilege to those who lack it. We have to learn how to be allies.
Advocating for change starts with empathy and listening—with open hearts and minds. And it continues when we educate ourselves and our children, learning how to amplify the voices of those who do not have the same privilege. I know I have a lot to learn and, more importantly, unlearn – things that I have been taught because of the existing structures. I want to lean in, become a better ally, and help.
This weekend my family and I attended the protest march in LA and the march at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. It was sobering and powerful. We went to show support for George Floyd and so many others who have been tragic victims of the systemic racism that plagues our society. But, more importantly, I went so that I could raise awareness for my children and lead by example.
It has never felt more important for me to categorically insist that Deckers is an anti-racist organization. Our core values stand and will continue to guide us – we are better together and it is critical that we take an active stance against racism, discrimination, and intolerance in any form. Over the coming days, you will be hearing more from me and our PX team about the steps we are starting to take in support of our commitment to these principles. These include creation of a virtual discussion space and memorial for employees who would like to share, cope, grieve, and learn, training on how to be an ally and anti-racist, corporate donations to organizations that are committed to systemic change, and additional resources to support employee mental wellness.
Please check on your Black friends, loved ones and colleagues today – whether or not they are sharing with us directly, the weight is real and should not be carried alone. Our Employee Assistance Program is also available to Deckers employees.
It’s imperative to me that Deckers is a place where everyone feels seen and heard, welcomed to be their best selves, and where we actively create a culture in which racism and discrimination have no place. We will use our platforms to raise awareness and do our part to help create lasting and systemic change. The Executive Leadership Team and I are committed to doing better every day and I ask that each of you consider how you can do the same. We will move forward together.
Dave
#BetterTogether
#BlackLivesMatter
Deckers Careers 