Northwest University’s Response to America’s Crisis
The murderous killing of George Floyd at the hands of police has brought the issue of justice for African Americans to the front of America’s attention, as it should have been long before. Northwest University unequivocally condemns this unjust murder, along with other recent cases, and we join our voice to those of millions of Americans who are demanding that our whole society address this issue effectively now. African Americans and other people of color have the right to feel safe and to conduct their lives without fear. Police violence, however, represents only the beginning of evils we must address. It is time for systemic change and cultural change that will achieve equal justice for all Americans and atone for our nation’s original sins of slavery and racial inequality.
We recognize and deeply mourn the sense of insecurity and isolation these circumstances create for the persons of color in the Northwest University community—students, faculty and staff. We grieve their pain and repent for every way in which we as an institution have failed to provide a sense of safety, including but not limited to: our slowness to speak and act, racially insensitive classroom incidents, and a lack of opportunities for students of color to share their experiences and use their voices. We are deeply sorry.
We will carry out an institution-wide conversation in the days and months ahead, even as we struggle to survive the present pandemic and its disruptions. We commit ourselves to take full advantage of this moment to learn and to act, to love our students and other members of our community equally, and to rush to their defense whenever they face threat. We can do better justice, and we commit ourselves to it.