A message on the need for action and change
Dear Beach Community:
This is one of those messages I’d hope that I’d never have to write again.
In a year that has seen our nation rocked by brutality, racism and injustice – we have witnessed yet another incident where a Black American, Jacob Blake, appears victimized by police violence. As a result, we’ve seen both peaceful protests and violent unrest. In this most recent situation in Kenosha, the appearance of individuals representing some “militia” resulted in the death of two protesters.
We are called to, “Say Their Names” – Jacob, George, Breonna, Aubrey, Ron and Emmett, so that we remember all whose lives were damaged or cut short by systematic violence. Sadly, and infuriatingly, that list continues to grow. Racism, not protest, is what threatens our society.
We know that any real and lasting change depends on personal, organizational and societal adjustments. I pledge that I will continue examining what I do as a person and as a university leader to bring about needed changes; I will find ways that my team and I can effectively address racism and inequities; I will work to implement anti-racism initiatives in the classroom and workplace; and I will seek ways to expand and improve educational and employment opportunities for people from underrepresented groups.
To be an educator is to embrace hope. For me, that overriding hope is that our students will take what they learn with us and use it to make their lives, their communities and our nation better. It is also my hope that I won’t have to send a message about yet another preventable tragedy – but hope is not enough. To bring about the necessary change, action on personal and institutional levels is required.
In the months to come, there will be many discussions, debates and arguments about the things we are doing right, where we have fallen short, and the remedies that are needed on our campus. I do not pretend to have all of the answers and I continue to welcome the feedback and input our community has provided me. The meetings I have had with campus groups over the last several weeks have been illuminating and impactful. I have heard and experienced in these frank discussions things that have realigned my perspective and impacted my life. It is my goal to turn many of those ideas into ways we can make The Beach a model for equitable opportunity for all.
We can be the change. We are OneBeach.
Jane Close Conoley
President
