06/03/2020
Dear Sophomore Family,
We are saddened, frustrated, and angered by the inhumane, abhorrent, and tragic acts of violence and injustice against our Black friends, family, and community in America.
We can never talk enough about the systematic marginalization and racism that exists in America and the corrupt system that continues to take the side of the oppressor. We can never say enough about the constant threat to life and atrocities against Black people. We can never speak enough on the tumultuous repetition of history and inequality in our society, and the lack of accountability for those responsible for it.
Words struggle to encapsulate the intense emotions over the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, and countless others whose lives were so cruelly taken away by evil. May they rest in power.
Nothing will ever capture the immense pain, suffering, and grief of the Black community. To the allies of the Black community, we know that you are also dealing with your own set of feelings as you work to identify the best ways to show your support and solidarity.
The issues in America run deep and require more than thoughts and prayers to solve. They require action.
To enact change, it is crucial first to acknowledge the realities, the context. We can't change history, but to move forward, we must face it, and this is happening so much closer to home than it may seem. It's in Philly, in our communities at Penn, and even blatantly in our own Class. We have studied these injustices of the "past," but the reality is that these lessons aren't just historical; they persist today. However, we have the power to change tomorrow.
To our Black peers, we see the injustices, and we hear the frustration. We grieve with you, and we value you. We stand united, ready to take action, and support you. As a class, our goal is to assist you and bring attention to the voices that have been ignored and silenced for far too long. The Class of 2023 and Penn should be a safe place, and it is important to work harder as a unified class to make that a reality. While many of us can never understand the hurt, we stand together. Above all else, we hope that you have been able to find support and healing during this time in your communities and with loved ones.
To the allies of the Black community, there is much urgent work to do. We all have a responsibility to actively and sincerely support one another—check-in on your friends, families, neighbors, co-workers, classmates. Action takes on many different forms—you don't have to be on the frontlines to make a difference. Believe and value Black people's lived truths. Utilize your voices and privilege to act and call out racism in your immediate communities, clubs on campus, and in every space every single day of your lives. Speaking up against injustice is significant. Silence is complicity. It is paramount to understand that denouncing racism and systematic oppression requires more than passive retort. It is not enough to be "not racist" - it is necessary that we take on an active, anti-racist stance. Not only today, tomorrow, but for our entire lives, for allyship is a continuous process. We ought never to tolerate evil. We can, and we must stand and act side-by-side with everyone affected by injustice everywhere.
To those who have felt too overwhelmed to join the discussion, lean into your unfamiliarity and discomfort. Use this time to educate yourself on the variety of perspectives surrounding this issue. Read books. Listen to podcasts. Ask questions. Have hard discussions. Inform yourself and use it to empower those fighting right now. The path to change starts from within.
We encourage everyone to do their research, take time for introspection, and participate in productive conversation. We urge you to engage in the literature that examines the topics of racial justice, anti-Black racism, oppression, and settler colonialism. You will find resources below that may help those struggling to identify a path forward or want to become even further involved.
From the very beginning, our Board had committed itself to diversity and inclusion. However, we do not have all the answers, and we also have growth to do ourselves in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. We can always do better to serve you. Now more than ever, we would like to hear your voices, your opinions, and your perspectives. If you have suggestions on initiatives you'd like the administration to take on or ways that Class Board can do more to promote change, then please hit reply and send your thoughts. The work that we do has always been, and will always be, for the community first and foremost.
In the meantime, we are committed to having difficult discussions with administrators, leaders, and most importantly, ourselves, in how we can prevent the problems of the present from being repeated in the future. Working together, we want to create an open space for dialogue and amplify Black voices. Here are action items that our Board will take to serve you better:
* Actively condemn racist speech and behavior from members in our Class, and hold them accountable for their actions
* Require all current and future Class Board 2023 members to undergo I Care training with CAPS
* Require all current and future Class Board 2023 members to read How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
* Collaborate and work closely with a council of Black students and leaders in our Class
* Unconditionally place our full support behind, and assist in advocating for, any Black-led projects, initiatives, and movements at Penn
While our Class of 2023 family has been through a lot in the past four months, we will continue to grow stronger through these challenging times. Let's continue to be there for one another. Let's continue to advocate for our peers. Let's continue to demand better for the future. Together, we can make an impact. Together, we will stand as one community.
With Love and In Solidarity,
Class Board 2023
List of Resources: https://bit.ly/CB23BLM
RESOURCES GENERAL Ways to get started and take action Ways to help Comprehensive BLM/ally resource list (updates every 5 minutes) BLM links and resources CONTACT Call/Email: Resources for Accountability and Action for Black Lives document on who to call, emails to send, places to volunteer or don...
