For many of us, the past few weeks have been filled with grief, anguish, and anger as we watched the Derek Chauvin murder trial. I am sure that many of you, like me, watched with our breath held as the jury read aloud its guilty verdict.
Rightly, much weight has been placed on this trial and its outcome. While this guilty verdict cannot erase the pain and suffering experienced by those close to Mr. Floyd, today is a pivotal moment of accountability. But the fact remains that our work to create a truly just society is far from finished. The murder of George Floyd is a harsh and stark reminder of the racism and injustice too many in our country are forced to confront on a daily basis. And unfortunately, these tragedies continue to happen.
My goal: It is not enough to talk about systemic racism and violence in moments of all too frequent crisis. We must engage with these crucial issues every day in our words, interactions, and work. I hope that this verdict serves as a mobilizing moment, affirming our commitment to social justice and addressing inequities through our learning, scholarship, and service. We can use the power of our voices to call out and confront racism, xenophobia, and discrimination in all of its forms.
As part of our commitment, Simmons will host a Community Conversation tomorrow, April 21, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. This will be an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to discuss the trial and its aftermath. I am deeply aware that we each bring our own unique perspectives and experiences to this moment, as the verdict impacts members of our community in many different and personal ways. During tomorrow’s conversation, we will reflect on what we have witnessed and discuss how we continue to move forward together as a community. I hope you will register for this important dialogue.
Watching this trial has been a traumatic experience for many in our community, so I want to share some additional helpful resources. The Simmons Health and Counseling Center are available via telehealth for student check-ins and mental health support. The Multicultural Center and the office of Organizational Culture, Inclusion and Equity also have resources and support. And The Library's Anti-Oppression Libguide has a page of resources specifically related to Antiracism.
Thank you for your continued willingness to come together as a community to listen, learn, and affirm our guiding principles of empowering diversity and fostering an inclusive culture.
— President Lynn Perry Wooten