Processing Anti-Black Violence
That Black Lives Matter should go without saying, but this week we saw another life taken near Minneapolis where George Floyd was murdered. We condemn racial profiling and senseless anti-Black violence.
The death of Duante Wright may cause some of our members, colleagues, and students to relive past trauma. Acknowledge and give space to that reality. This latest killing may trigger a range of emotions perhaps unpredictably even to those experiencing them. That’s okay. We can’t advocate for racial justice and at the same time go about business as usual nor question the lived experienced of BIPOC nor judge how individuals feel.
As each person in your organization navigates the end of a particularly challenging academic year, the violence witnessed in society, and the layered impacts of racism, we urge you to be mindful that there is no universal response to address these burdens.
For coping strategies to address Black fatigue, this recording, guide, and toolkit may be helpful.
When supporting student leaders and activists, undergraduates and graduate students may have different needs. Additionally, remember to gauge your team’s overall levels of stress and needs and be wary of potential racelighting.
For ways to talk about racism, consider this advice and perspectives.
