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We are going to keep this statement brief. Words are failing all of us in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. When leaders reach for words like outrage, horror, or despair, they only do more damage when they are not matched by action. As James Baldwin once famously said, “I can’t believe what you say, because I see what you do.”
So, no words without action. We are determined to keep George Mason University true to its motto, to be a place of “freedom and learning.” We will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure every member of Mason Nation, and every visitor to our campuses, is safe: physically safe, emotionally safe, culturally safe, and intellectually safe, to become who they want to be.
To do that, today we directed the senior leadership of Mason to conduct a thorough review of our academic, research, public service, student service, campus law enforcement, and alumni offerings that contribute to social justice, racial equity, and peaceful conflict resolution. And we have directed them also to root out areas where we have fallen short of our intentions, through either conscious or unconscious bias.
Where we have services and expertise to offer a hurting, grieving community, we will step up – to the Mason community, to northern Virginia, to the national capital region, and beyond. We simply will not allow this moment to divert Mason from the long-standing pursuit of access to excellence, which is our ultimate tool to fight the perpetuation of racism.
And where we learn we have failed the diverse community we so proudly serve, we will direct necessary resources to fill the void. The COVID-19 pandemic has put us under unprecedented financial duress, but nothing is more strategically or morally vital to our future than truly living up to our mission to be an “inclusive academic community committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world.”
In the weeks and months ahead, we will have more to say about what we have to offer to advance social justice and healing, and about what changes we will make to improve how Mason will better serve the community and the nation as a whole. We invite you to stay tuned and be prepared to act with us.
Our nation is fighting two pandemics – the COVID-19 virus, and the pandemic of racism in America. George Mason University will address both with the same vigor and sense of urgency.
Sincerely,
I was outraged when I saw the video of George Floyd’s murder. I’ve struggled with meaningful words this weekend. The imperative for racial justice is as necessary now as it’s ever been, but I’ve been frustrated by the same messages for change. We’ve been here before. Just last month, I posted a message about the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. Since then, we’ve seen the tragic deaths of Breonna Taylor and Tony McDade, as well as the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had on black and brown communities. The outrage and pain are palpable. It is evident in the tears and protests occurring across the country.
Mason’s mission – ‘We are an inclusive academic community committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world’ – can not fully be realized until we come to terms with systemic racism and the racial injustice that continues to result from it.
The call to all of us in higher ed:
In addition to our words, Center our work and our investments on racial justice and racial healing. Move beyond allyship into accompliceship. Those of us with privilege must use that privilege in service of equity and equality.
In addition to our words, Center our work with students who are disproportionately affected by racial injustice, knowing that all of us, all of our students, pay a price for systemic racism and white supremacy.
In addition to our words, Center our commitment as a research intensive university committed to civic engagement on the research and action necessary to dismantle systemic racism.
Use our words to reflect and act, both personally and professionally, on our commitment to anti-racism advocacy.
Last semester, Mason applied to become the site for a Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center. We received this designation by the American Association of Colleges and Universities as one of twenty universities across the country with a center. We are the only university in Virginia with this designation. We know we have work to do. If you are interested in joining our movement for racial justice and healing, contact Creston C. Lynch, Ph.D., Associate Dean, University Life.
Finally, I’m recalling Dr. Gail Christopher’s words when she led several of us through a racial healing training earlier in the spring semester – “We must dispel the false belief in a hierarchy of human value and replace that archaic notion with a reverence and appreciation for the equal and interconnected nature of the human family.”
Best,
Rose Pascarell
Vice President of University Life
| The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives. |
