Re: Collectively Healing
To: All campus
April 20, 2021
Dear Campus Community,
We are nearing the conclusion of the Derek Chauvin trial for the murder of George Floyd. Witnessing the trial has been difficult, as the effects of systemic racism do not give us any reprieve.
As mentioned in my statement on April 16th, we continue to see the loss of lives to racial violence while we await the outcome of this trial. It can be difficult to continue our day-to-day lives while continuously being re-traumatized by these events.
My office and I are committed to combatting systemic racism and providing our campus community with support along the way. Doing this work is of the utmost importance, but we must give ourselves time to heal so that we may have the energy to continue the fight against injustice and oppression.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) held a Healing Circle with Dr. Jacquelyn Johnson from the Black Girl Doctor on Monday, April 19th and we hope you had the opportunity to attend. The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, in partnership with CAPS and Housing and Residence Education, will be hosting a healing circle today, April 20th, at 1:30 P.M. You can access the Zoom link for this session here.
In addition, please find the resources available on our website, including resources for mental health, anti-racism, and how to be an ally. Whatever the outcome may be following the jury’s decision, we will need an opportunity to collectively reflect on and heal from this re-traumatization. We will be sure to inform you of upcoming healing sessions as we await the jury deliberation.
We continue to be with you and stand strongly against acts of racial violence in all its forms. We have no option but to be united if we hope to see the end of systemic racism.
Always in solidarity,
Dania Matos, J.D.
Associate Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer
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