April 20, 2021
Dear Members of the 51С»Æ³µ Community,
Today’s verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin will undoubtedly bring forward deep and varied emotions for each of us. I want to acknowledge the heavy burden many in our community have been carrying and continue to bear, and in particular our Black students, faculty and staff members. Accountability in one case matters, but we are still in search of true justice. Even as this trial unfolded, we continued to see instances of racial injustice across our nation. Each instance is painful, and no verdict can completely erase that pain from our hearts. We mourn for George Floyd, Daunte Wright, Adam Toledo, Breonna Taylor and so many others.
Today’s news comes at the end of a challenging semester which was itself preceded by a challenging year. I know many of us are feeling the weight of these past months heavy on our shoulders. I urge you to take care of yourselves, physically, mentally and spiritually. As always, the Counseling Center is available to students, while faculty and staff can access support through the Employee Assistance Program. The Office of College Chaplains is also ready to help anyone in our community. Additionally, Student Affairs staff are available in the residence halls and in Hogan for informal conversation with students. Please make use of these resources as you need to. None of us can do it alone.
This is neither the beginning nor the end of the conversation. George Floyd should still be alive today. We, as a community and a nation, still have a long battle to fight against racism. 51С»Æ³µ will continue our work to be an antiracist organization, and to be a community where we all feel safe, supported and welcome. May God help us to become who we aspire to be.
Sincerely,
Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J.
President