Making a Better World, Together
Dear DU Community,
Both in my role as yourvicechancellor fordiversity,equity andinclusion,and more importantly as a Black man with a voice,I want to take a moment to sharesomeof my thoughts and feelings as we all take in what the guilty verdicts in the Chauvin trial mean.I would also like to direct you to the programming at the bottom of this message where you can join in community discussion.
At DU,we are a thriving part ofglobal society,and we should embrace our role in pushing for progress in our world as well as right here at home at our university.Thefight for recognitionand celebrationof the full andundeniable humanity of Black peoplein the United Statescontinues,and we cannot lose sight of that continued struggle againstoppression.
While theseguilty verdicts are a step forward, we cannot forgetthefar too numerous times that there has been no accountability for those who have taken away Black lives. Wemust recognizethe fact that in the recentdays andweeks the lives of Black and Brown people have been taken by agents of the state across the country—with some of those victims being children.Far too manymore people than George Floyd have been wrongfully taken from their families and from us as a society.
Seeingone singular moment wherea perpetratoris held accountable to a heinous actthat we all saw clearly on videocannot wash away the well-earned skepticism of the systemthathas failed so many too often. Systemic racism isreal,and it existsfar beyond policing. Unfortunately, it is woven into the fabric of our society,and itwill continue totake broad collaborative effortstoeradicate it.
Our work at DU in diversity, equity, and inclusion is part of the more expansive effortsacross our nation where individuals need to work for change within their spheres of influence. The time for action continues to be now. Looking inward at DU and looking out on all that DU influences, we have a prime opportunity to continue making progress right here that will help our nation grow and heal. If we remain diligent in growing and making commitments to stand against systemic racismat home andbeyond,wemaybe able toreckon with oursordidpast andkeep it from unduly permeating ourpresentand future.
In these first few weeks at DU,I have been warmly welcomed,and I feel encouraged that we have what it takes to continue working together to grow, to do more and to do better as we face our future. Across our nation,for too longtoo many have done too little to stoptheperpetuation ofsystemic racism.Anti-Blacknesscannot be allowed to continue flourishing as it has for far too many generations. Thefact that there are still arguments over such a basicrecognition that Black lives do mattershows usthe level ofinsidiousness ofanti-Black racism. Mattering is minimal, yet people want to argueagainst such a simple sentiment.
Conversations about Black trauma are not new.As their parents before them,myparents had to have “the talk” with me as a Blackchild growing upin this country.My hopeisthat things willbe different for my young sonswhen they become Black fathers in the future. We can make that renewed hope a realityby doingeverything inourpower tomakea better worldbydevelopingin one anotherthe skillsand desiresto dismantle beliefs in hierarchies of human worth and value.
Outcomes change when systems change. The witnesses, theactivists, the Attorney General in Minnesota and so many other inputs into the system look different and more inclusive of more voices in this Chauvin trial than in the multitude of casesacross the history of the United Stateswhere justice wasnotservedfor Black victims.The tireless work and deep sacrifices made by so many Black people,as well as individuals working alongside them,has not simply provided progress toward equity and justice for Black people but has steadily made a better world for all. That must never beoverlooked.
DZ岹ٲ,
Christopher M. Whitt
Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Join the Conversation
For the most up-to-date information about student events and supports, includingvirtualprogramming later today,please visit and also follow the Center’s social media channels.
Open ForumHosted by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Thursday,April 22, 2021| Noon
Join faculty and staffworking in diversity, equity and inclusionin conversation about the verdicts.For faculty,staff and students.
andpasscode: 429383
Panelists:
- Apryl Alexander, professor, Graduate School of Professional Psychology
- Nashwa Bolling and Effley Brooks, co-leads, Black@DU
- Alexi Freeman, professor and associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion, Sturm College of Law
- Michele Hanna, associate dean for academic affairs, Graduate School of Social Work
- Andriette Jordan-Fields, Black community experience coordinator
- Christopher Whitt, vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion