Last month, I shared some immediate and longer-term action items for SJSU to address systemic racism. Several actions were identified, including steps we would take immediately as well as a number of longer-term efforts. I write today to report on our progress to date, particularly the actions we have undertaken these past 30 days and thoughts on the future.
Tag Archives: diversity
Juneteenth Commemoration and SJSU’s Actions on Systemic Racism
Tomorrow is Juneteenth, a day that for more than 150 years has commemorated the end of slavery in this country. It is a day when African American families and communities celebrate culture, strength, and perseverance. I encourage SJSU managers and supervisors to accommodate employees who wish to take part in community, faith-based or private family gatherings that honor Juneteenth.
Examining Our Actions and Opportunities for Change
The global protests we continue to see following the unconscionable killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers—just one of many recent incidents involving systemic racism in our society—remain on all our minds and in our hearts. In addition to raising awareness, people are now demanding real, tangible action. Action by our institutions. Action by our leaders. And, yes, action by our universities.
Call for Community in Light of Recent Racist Attacks Against African-Americans
These past few months have been very difficult for all of us. But with recent national news reports centering on the violent killing of George Floyd by a police officer on Memorial Day and the dangerous racial profiling of Christian Cooper in Central Park, the last several days have been particularly painful for many members of the SJSU community.