We highly recommend downloading this file using a computer and not a phone, tablet, iPad, or other mobile device.
This is a free set of SVG design files I was inspired to create by recent events, senseless murders, violence and other injustices in our society today. The file is essentially one design (Fonts are Atlas and Arial Black) with a few variations and one example of how it can be made into a multi-color design. The letters and pieces of the design are mostly separated to allow you to use your own creativity to change colors, move the design around, add/remove pieces. After uploading or importing into your design software you may have to ungroup all the designs, then attach the pieces together you wish to cut, and remove the rest as they will all upload in one large design file.
My full statement regarding the recent events is posted below.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Recent events which have sparked outrage, protests, and sometimes even more violence have taken the spotlight in America and around the world. The past several days I have searched for words to write or say about the horrific murders of George Floyd in Minnesota, Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, Breona Taylor here in Kentucky, and many others. There are no words that I can use to express the sadness for their families and state of our society. I know there are many strong emotions that surround the oppression of people of color and while I have felt the weight on my heart for several days that isn't even a fraction of the weight others have carried for decades or centuries. Artistically speaking, white is the “absence of color” and I cannot even pretend to act like I know what it feels like to be judged based on skin color, religion, or any other part of who I am as a person.
A couple nights ago what appeared to be thousands of people marched peacefully all over the city of Louisville. They shook hands and bumped fists with the police and National Guardsmen on the scene while they marched for miles for justice and peace. I often refrain from commenting on situations until I find the right words, even though some people feel someone with a voice to reach others like I have should speak sooner, louder, and more emphatically. I choose to lay much of my faith before God and seek the guidance before speaking, something I hope everyone understands. The patience of prayer always brings a sign at the right time and that night it was from someone who shared a bible verse:
1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
In our bedroom is a gift I made for Tammi a few years ago for our anniversary that is also from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
At that moment I realized the meaning of that verse went far deeper than the love we have in our marriage. Our world needs more love, more hope, more faith, and more respect.
I grew up in rural West Virginia where minorities were truly the minority. I never really saw racism and we were not raised that way, probably because of the lack of minorities, ironically. We only had two people of color in our high school in three years, one teacher and one foreign exchange student--and everyone loved them both. The past several days have caused me to ask myself some very difficult questions and I’ve been trying to find the words to express what I’m feeling. One of the things we are most proud of at our company is fostering opportunity for others. When I look back at the 32 years I have been in the workforce, I began to think about the people who were in position to give me opportunity and I realized none of those were people of color. It was then I realized White Privilege does indeed exist. There are deep meanings beyond just not being viewed a certain way because of your skin color, and I’m not sure everyone even understands how deeply those issues go. Those difficult questions and the answers I’ve uncovered about myself are disturbing and have further humbled me as a person. I invite you to ask yourself the same hard questions, regardless of your position, skin color, religion, or anything else. For me, those answers brought shame. Not shame for being white, but shame for realizing while I and probably many others have been out just trying to make a life for our families, make it in the world, raise our children, and do good things when we can, others have been suffering we’ve been hearing but not listening. While trying to build a life and do what we felt were good things, even I haven't been listening as much as I should have. I hope my own realizations and voice are able to reach others to think about the same issues and questions within their own hearts.
No person should ever be judged for their skin color, religion, gender orientation, or any other part of their human existence. Being a good person who loves and respects others should be what we all strive for. There are great people in all walks of life and professions and I believe the vast majority of humanity enjoys hugs and love rather than violence. At the same time, in all walks of life and professions, there is evil. The violence against people of color as well as violence against businesses and professions such as good men and women in uniform who took a sworn duty to serve and protect, is simply unacceptable. Violence needs to end and we need to love one another. We need to lay down our shields and other implements of destruction and heal as a society. Love thy neighbor as you would love yourself.
If my sharing my words, my story, and my shame helps one person to ask themselves the same hard questions and see the difficult answers, it has been worth it to put my shame on display for the world to see. I ask for everyone to pray for Justice, Peace, Respect, and Love.
Troy Young, CEO