A Message from President Hatch
5/31/2020 2:50:00 PM | General
Dear Wa
ke Forest community,
Once again, we have seen our fellow human beings killed. George Floyd, Steven Taylor, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery did not have to die. Their deaths have caused grief, anger, frustration, fear and hopelessness for many. Because of the deep effects of systemic racism, our country is once again trying to make sense of the senseless violence and relentless oppression aimed at the African American community. Witnessing what has happened over these past few days, including the unrest in more than 30 cities as communities plead for an end to racism, white supremacy and violence against people of color, it is overwhelming to see the anguish etched on the faces of so many.
To members of the Wake Forest community who are feeling pain and fear brought on by these deaths, I am sorry and I grieve with you. Though I cannot fully comprehend the sadness and sorrow, I'm disheartened that, yet again, our nation has failed to live up to its ideals and our communities have ignored the infinite dignity of all its members.
To our African American students, staff, faculty, families, alumni and extended community members specifically, I realize that this time of tragedy comes in the middle of a global pandemic that is adding suffering and claiming lives disproportionately, and keeping us apart when we would typically reach out to one another for comfort. I vow to continue supporting you in these troubling times, standing with you as we address issues of social justice and driving our community to do better.
We cannot ignore injustice or wish away racism and bigotry. Now more than ever, we must confront hatred and uphold one another in times of great division and inequity. Though we are not together on campus during this national crisis, we will always be linked by our pursuit of truth and our commitment to each other -- as Wake Foresters and as human beings.
Sincerely,
Nathan O. Hatch
#BlackLivesMatter ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻 pic.twitter.com/gOW1RK3fgy
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) June 9, 2020
We are so proud of SAAC for teaming up with @wakesg to create sustainable change! #BlackLivesMatter #ProHumanitate pic.twitter.com/PohpcxEVsw
— Developing Deacs (@DevelopingDeacs) June 8, 2020
Here is the petition created by SAAC and @wakesg calling for the implementation of further education - please help them reach their goal of 2,000 signatures! #BlackLivesMatter #ProHumanitate https://t.co/tZd1ew5iNZ
— Developing Deacs (@DevelopingDeacs) June 8, 2020
Our football program is devastated by the tragic loss of life that occurred in Minneapolis earlier this week. It's difficult to explain to my children how this can happen in our country in 2020. Everyone in the United States deserves the right to feel protected and safe.
— Dave Clawson (@CoachClawson) May 30, 2020
My parents raised me to love a person and not have hate in my heart. I don't pretend to know what it's like to be hated due to the color of my skin. This destructive belief is unfathomable to me and it's imperative that all parents teach their children to love unconditionally pic.twitter.com/s4XYTIEygt
— Steve Forbes (@ForbesWakeHoops) May 30, 2020
(2)I cannot pretend to know what it is like to be judged by the color of my skin. But I do know we all bleed red. My heart is broken & I find myself praying for peace, love & unity! We must be a part of the change. We ALL deserve better & we ALL must do better. #inthistogether
— Jennifer Hoover (@WakeCoachJen) May 30, 2020
❝Either we work actively each day to flatten the curve of systems, structures, and daily behaviors that reinforce inequality, or we contribute to the community spread of racial injustice.❞
— Wake Forest Divinity (@WakeDiv) May 31, 2020
– Jonathan L. Walton, @WakeDivDean pic.twitter.com/O8ZcARmkGi
.jpg&height=340&type=webp)
