There is still much work to be done.

April 22, 2021

Nearly a year ago, we started a series of Conversations of Understanding after the murder of George Floyd. It was certainly not the first or last murder of a black American, but for a number of reasons I can think of few deaths that had a greater impact. So, like me, I'm sure many of you were waiting by a radio, television or computer when the jury in Hennepin County, Minnesota, returned a guilty verdict against the former Minneapolis police officer who was charged in the murder of George Floyd. The fact that Derek Chauvin is being held accountable for his actions is important because it signifies progress in a justice system that has often failed to hold people accountable for acts of violence against black Americans. While it's important, I believe there's much more we need to consider.

I would be remiss if I did not recognize the impact of the trial and the verdict on individuals. I am sure it all elicited a range of emotions for people across the SIU System. Moreover, while we have arrived at the conclusion of this trial, I think we can all agree that there will continue to be challenging days ahead. I encourage everyone who needs to speak with someone who will listen to your thoughts and fears, to please remember that we have professionals on campus who can help you work through your feelings and emotions. We also have employee assistance programs that will allow you to speak to someone off-campus. In addition, we have a number of opportunities for learning and conversations across our campuses and encourage you to take advantage of those opportunities.

While watching the coverage, I have been struck by a number of comments offered by individuals interviewed by the media who have added much-needed context not just to the jury's decision, but to the critically important dialogue and the understanding of where we've been and where we're going. While it might be easy to subscribe some type of end marker to the decision, in actuality, as Pulitzer Prize winning commentator Eugene Robinson pointed out, "we haven't reached our destination on the racial reckoning that we need to have in this country" but he noted "this will be seen as a step forward."

Also offering commentary recently was Dr. Eddie Glaude, the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, where he is also the Chair of the Center for African American Studies and the Chair of the Department of African American Studies. Dr. Glaude reminded us that "justice is a practice, not an end" and that "we still need fundamental changes" and that "the hard work begins."

So now, let us hope we are at a point of transformation in our country, on our campuses and in our communities. Let us commit ourselves to this moment when we recognize that we can do better. Let us also recognize that we must take the next steps together to face and overcome systemic racism.

While we have made a public commitment to be an anti-racist organization that incorporates the principals of diversity, equity and inclusion into all that we do, this is a moment to recognize there is still much work to be done to fulfill that commitment. I look forward to continuing to do that work with all of you.

Categories: All Categories, Challenges and Opportunities, COVID