Connect with us

Eugene

UO Leaders Speak Out Against Hatred, Racism And Violence

Published

on

University of Oregon leadership, including President Michael H. Schill, the Vice President for Student Life Kevin Marbury, Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Yvette Alex-Assensoh, and Provost Patrick Phillips are speaking out against hatred, racism and violence.

“George Floyd’s tragic and senseless killing by a white police officer on a street in Minneapolis shocks, saddens and outrages all of us.”

“As leaders of this university it is important to speak out against these and other less publicized atrocities inflicted against people of color in our nation. We call on our entire university community and nation to recognize that these are not isolated events, but instead reflect a society deeply in need of transformation and healing,” said the leaders

“Now is the time to raise our voices and send the message that hatred and violence toward people of color and other marginalized groups must stop. In the words of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., ‘the ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.’”

In a statement issued on May 29, they said these injustices are happening during a time when COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact of communities of color.

“Indeed, COVID-19 itself has laid bare, as if we needed more proof, the racial and socio-economic divisions that continue to plague our nation and society. Black, brown, Native Americans, and the poor are getting sick and dying at far greater rates due to deplorable inequities in our health system and the fact that they disproportionately find themselves in frontline jobs that put them at risk. That is unacceptable.”

The leaders vowed to continue the work that began five years ago as catalyzed by the Black Student Task Force, and also note that “our university also has an important role to play in furthering the debate about racial equity through research, teaching, and outreach.”

The university’s African American Speaker and Workshop Series next year, organized by the Division of Equity and Inclusion, will focus on disproportionality and resilience of the African American community in the face of COVID-19.

The UO offers support and resources to students through the University Counseling Center with a team of dedicated staff members, many of whom can provide identity-based support. In addition the UO offers in-person drop-in and other counseling services, and after-hours support/crisis phone line (541-346-3227) to speak with a mental health professional when the Counseling Center is closed. Employees of the university may access the Employee Assistance Program. The Respect website offers information for those who’ve experience discrimination or harassment.

You may also like…

Crime & Safety10 hours ago

Mom cIaims she briefIy Ieft her 2-year-old aIone and, when she returned, found the chiId screaming after her partner, who didn’t get along with the child’s bioIogicaI dad, caused severe injuries with boiIing Iiquid: DA

Texas – A Texas man and woman were taken into custody last week after a thorough investigation revealed that the...

Eugene1 day ago

License plate reader system helps Eugene Police locate missing person

Eugene, OR – Eugene Police used their license plate reader system to help locate a missing person in September. In...

Eugene1 day ago

Daisy Scouts visit Eugene Police Headquarters for behind-the-scenes tour

Eugene, OR – Local Daisy Scouts visited Eugene Police Headquarters last week for a special behind-the-scenes tour. The Scouts met...

Eugene1 day ago

Eugene resident wins bike giveaway at National Night Out

Eugene, OR – A local resident celebrated big smiles and brand-new wheels after winning the National Night Out bike giveaway...

Eugene1 day ago

Recruit class 33 takes on weekly Fire Endurance Activities Test

Eugene, OR – After climbing 110 stories yesterday, the 16 members of Eugene Springfield Fire recruit class 33 returned to...

Crime & Safety3 days ago

Man who became angry when his famiIy member removed him from their parent’s home due to his Iack of support or financiaI contribution to the househoId before he arrived at the woman’s workpIace and kiIIed her, has been indicted

Florida – A grand jury has indicted 57-year-old Florida man on charges of first-degree murder and armed burgIary, for the...

Crime & Safety3 days ago

Man kiIIed the woman he was Iiving with very close to her sIeeping 2-year-old chiId, then attempted to make it look like the fataI injuries were the resuIt of a faII: police

Minnesota – A Minnesota man was taken into custody last week after authorities say he fataIIy assauIted his housemate. He has...

Eugene5 days ago

Man arrested for theft of youth league funds, police seek tips

Eugene, OR – Eugene police arrested a 38-year-old Springfield man on September 10 following an investigation into the theft of...

Eugene5 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire swears in new deputy chief of EMS

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire announced the swearing-in of Markus Lay as the department’s new Deputy Chief of EMS....

Eugene5 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire participates in 2025 9/11 Stair Climb at Autzen Stadium

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire announced that its members returned from the 2025 9/11 Stair Climb at Autzen Stadium,...

Eugene5 days ago

Eugene police recover stolen vehicle within an hour using license plate reader system

Eugene, OR – Eugene police recovered a stolen vehicle within an hour on Tuesday evening after using the automated license...

Trending