Message from President Shaver

A message from President Judson R. Shaver regarding law enforcement and racial minorities.

Dear Members of the MMC Community:

Yesterday, a grand jury decided not to indict the police officer involved in the death of Eric Garner.  This event, following the non-indictment of the police officer in the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, has alarmed many Americans.  Our sadness at the deaths of these two individuals has given way to a grave concern about police violence against black men.  In a college setting, it behooves us to apply our disciplines to a better understanding of the connection between race and policing.

MMC responded to the events in Ferguson earlier this fall by holding a series of programs, including “Deconstructing Ferguson,” with former faculty member Michelle Ronda, a “White Privilege Workshop” sponsored by Student Development and Activities, and “Community Responses to Police Brutality,” hosted by Professor Jessica Blatt with guest speakers Alex Vitale, a scholar of social justice from Brooklyn College, and writer and community activist Josmar Trujillo. Most recently, on Monday, December 1, Professor Manolo Guzman hosted an event entitled “Memorial and Celebration of Black Men’s Lives” which included a discussion about race and violence. 

After the recent grand jury decisions, it is my conviction that we need further examination of the issues pertaining to law enforcement and racial minorities. As a nation, we must vigilantly engage in self-examination to ensure that all members of our democracy enjoy equal civil rights and can live in safety.  I invite you to join me on Monday, December 8, from 4:00 to 5:30 pm in the Regina Peruggi Room to discuss how the College might plan a program of events for next semester that will engage the College community in further dialogue. 

We feel powerful emotions today.  However, we must plan to apply the wisdom of the academy to promote justice and fairness in our society as we look toward tomorrow.

Best wishes,

Jud

Published: December 04, 2014