Profound hurt, anger, frustration and despair will need more than soothing words

I would like to echo the words of MSU President Samuel Stanley and Provost Teresa Sullivan and stress the commitment towards building an inclusive environment at MSU and in our home communities. The senseless deaths of David McAtee, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor (and so many other innocent Black men and women) at the hands of law enforcement are inexcusable, and the pain, frustration and anger that collectively swells in all of us is justifiable. Racism has been woven into the fabric of America since the earliest days, and we can see the devastating costs in our society from the disparities in education, health care and policing of primarily Black communities. In the midst of a global pandemic, the disproportionate burden of illness and death of Black people in the US is yet another manifestation of racist policies and behaviors that have shaped the country.

 

I pledge to do my part in helping to fight racism, disrupt injustice and actively support our diverse community. I hope that you all share these sentiments, and help guide the world as leaders.

 

In solidarity,

Aaron