WA BLM Alliance demands release of findings on institutional racism at Seattle Children’s hospital
WBLMA also calls for assessment committee to be released from NDAs
August 2, 2021
SEATTLE—The Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance today demanded Seattle Children’s immediately make public the findings of a report delivered to its board on institutional racism at the world-renowned hospital.
“Refusing to release these findings says this investigation was not actually about transparency or accountability to the community,” said Sakara Remmu, lead strategist for Washington BLM. “You can’t have change without accountability, and there is no accountability without transparency.” Remmu’s son, Khabir Rasaan died after treatment at Seattle Children’s hospital.
That report was commissioned by Seattle Children’s after the alarming resignation of physician Dr. Ben Danielson, who cited persistent institutional racism as his reason for leaving. The hospital hired former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and the Covington & Burling law firm to investigate the institution’s “race, equity, inclusion and diversity policies and practices.”
“The hospital’s stance is a denigrating affront to the community, a further disregard for the Black and brown families it harmed with its policing practices, and a snub to the 1,000 or so people who came forward to share their experiences,” Dr. Danielson said. “If the findings are not made public it will have a chilling effect on any Seattle Children’s staff member who ever faces discrimination—because that staff member will know that, even when compelled to perform a $1 million investigation, the hospital will bury the result and erase the complainant.”
Last week, Children’s released the investigation’s recommendations, but it has refused to make public the findings on racism that informed them. An assessment committee that includes former Gov. Gary Locke wrote to the hospital, “[W]e strongly encourage the Board to publicly release at least Covington’s eleven findings statements, as well as Covington’s complete recommendations, to be fully transparent with the Seattle Children’s community….”
Releasing the findings would not violate the confidentiality of those who participated in the investigation.
According to the Seattle Times, the committee members were required to sign nondisclosure agreements about their work.
“The assessment committee is the community’s representative in this process,” Remmu said. “By gagging them, Children’s is revealing they have no interest in being accountable to community.
In a press release announcing the investigation, Children’s said it would, “take an intentionally inclusive and holistic approach to ensure that all voices are heard.”
“Inclusive” cannot only be about hearing testimony from people harmed by racism at Children’s, Remmu said. “‘Inclusive’ means you tell the community what has been uncovered. Failing to release the official findings is a cowardly act rooted in institutionalized white supremacy—the same white supremacy that has led to inhumane treatment of Black and brown patients and their families at Seattle Children's.”