Faculty & Staff Statement on Racism
June 5, 2020
Dear Earth and Planetary Sciences Community:
George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. Tony McDade. Iyanna Dior. Christopher Cooper. These names are familiar to us all now, and the violence against them reflects the most recent examples of the brutality affecting the Black community. They are Black people who did nothing to deserve their fate. These are only a sample of names from amongst the countless victims of racist injustice and white supremacy from across the United States.
The Faculty and Staff of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) stand against racist injustice to the Black, Brown, and all marginalized communities, but we recognize the current focus is on #BlackLivesMatter. We stand against police brutality in all of its forms, and systematic discrimination in academia and beyond. We recognize that making these statements alone is insufficient. We must look inwards, and have the difficult conversations about the past failings of our Earth science community. We must root out barriers and policies that allow or promote racism, and work together to build a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable future. In short, we need to do the work that has been neglected for far too long.
To our Black students and colleagues: we stand with you. Our community (EPS, Northwestern and beyond) is stronger with you in it, and we commit to cultivating an environment that explicitly values inclusion, equity, and justice.
As we move beyond statement making and into actionable commitments for systematic change, please bear in mind the following Northwestern resources that may be of immediate assistance:
- The Women’s Center is offering support and resources, including this online George Floyd Resource Compendium and a New Dialogue Series for Staff
- For confidential counseling and support, see the General Health Resources including Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- Religious and Spiritual Services has appointments and programs for pastoral and spiritual care
- The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion offers resources regarding wellness and equity
- For faculty and staff, the Employee Assistance Program has free short-term counseling