Dear Carolina Community,
Last weekend, a self-proclaimed white supremacist was driven to attack Black members of the Buffalo, NY, community. Ten people who were simply going about their day and doing their jobs lost their lives at the hands of someone motivated by his hatred and fear of others who are different than him.
I stand against perpetrators of hate and extend my profound condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed in this senseless and racially motivated attack. Sadly, this was not the only shooting over the weekend: in Orange County, CA; Milwaukee, Houston, Chicago and other communities across the country, people are mourning the loss of loved ones.
These types of events that occur too frequently in our daily lives cause trauma and fear for so many, especially members of the BIPOC community, who are disproportionately impacted by acts of unprovoked violence. These horrendous acts of terror cause grief, anger and frustration, which can seem overwhelming. I encourage you to reach out to those in your life to check in on them and to ask how they are doing. If you are struggling, we have a comprehensive list of mental health resources at the Heels Care Network for students, faculty and staff.
The malevolent reality of white supremacy and systemic and institutionalized racism continue to plague our nation. This is a deepening crisis that we must be prepared to address together with intention and urgency. To that end, I invite you to join us on Monday, May 23, at 5:30 p.m. to share your thoughts and reflections. Details for this forum, co-sponsored by the Carolina Black Caucus, will soon be posted on the Diversity and Inclusion website. I hope you will join us to stand for change, justice, equity and humanity.
Sincerely,Leah CoxVice Provost for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer