Originally posted June 4, 2020.
This last week in America has laid bare that we have much to do as a country, and as individuals, to right the many wrongs against men and women in the African American community. The hurt and anger are real.
It’s not 1968, but it looks like it in many ways. Unjust killings, peaceful protests, and citizen advocacy are followed by more brutality, looting and riots.
How can we learn? By putting aside pre-formed beliefs and asking hard questions. But that is not enough. We must listen with empathy to things we find incredulous, repugnant or sorrowful. That’s still not enough. We must hear with our heart and work for change.
Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences teaches our students to see both the world as it is and the world as it should be. It embraces the ideals of diversity, equality, peace, justice, and social progress in creating a world that ends discrimination, brutality and racial strife. We support individuals in their right of redress and expression of opinion. Most importantly, we understand that until black lives matter, none of us is equal.
In the days ahead, and as we seek to understand one another and connect as members of one human family, let’s reflect deeply, listen with our soul, seek to understand, and work for stronger and more caring community. Let’s stay safe and do what’s right.
To learn more of Wichita State University’s viewpoint, visit: https://wsu.news/injustice.