As the events of the past week have unfolded across our country and in our own county, I am deeply disturbed by the continued lack of respect for other human beings exhibited in the world today.
The murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor and so many others opens emotional wounds for many, and I hope opens dialogue and action for all. The recurrent violence against the Black community is angering and disheartening.
We are a more educated society than ever before, we are a more connected society than ever before, yet the fact we so often judge someone by race, by faith, by sexual orientation, or by any other personal identity without seeing their humanity is wrong.
Our duty as individuals to our society (and to our communities) is to embrace our neighbor in their own uniqueness, with the understanding that while they may look or act different than me, every person is a valued human being worth knowing, understanding, respecting, and treating with compassion and kindness.
We must come together as a society and commit to fighting for a more just world, that is safe for everyone. I commit to a dialogue that acknowledges and fights the racism and hatred that exists in our society and to be the best human being that I can be. If we all do it together, we can make a difference for our community, on campus, in our neighborhoods, and across this nation.
Statement from John David Wicker
