The events of this week cause our hearts to ache as we acknowledge continued heinous and appalling acts against people of color. We watch in pain as some of our cities burn with anger that has amassed as a result of 400 years of injustice. I want you to know that we, at Florida Poly, condemn any form of racism in our communities and on our campus. We also acknowledge the pain and suffering that many in our community, and across the country, are feeling during these troubling times.
Some point to the riots resulting from these injustices as the problem, while refusing to see the injustices that led us here. In 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. referred to “The Other America” in his speech at Stanford University, and he commented that “In the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear?” As a community, and as a society, we must stand against the brutality that has engulfed us and threatens to tear us apart. We must listen, and more importantly, we must act. We must hear the cries of African Americans who still bear the psychological scars of slavery. We must seek out all those who make sacrifices for our country and are not allowed to share in its bounty. We must right the wrongs that still plague our country. At Florida Poly we will not tolerate injustice on our campus nor in our communities. We stand strong behind our commitment to justice and ensuring that all are treated with respect and dignity.
It is not enough to hope that things will get better, we must make things better.
As a society, we can no longer just shake our heads as we listen to stories of injustice
on the evening news. Now is the time that all of us must stand up to hatred, stand
up to bigotry, stand up to racism and stand up to misogyny.
At Florida Polytechnic University we will do what is right and necessary to fulfill
the tenants and freedoms that so many have died and suffered to provide. Living in
America means that every voice is heard, and real opportunity exists for every American
and everyone in our great country, regardless of race, creed, gender, nationality
or identity. We must turn this pain and anger into action that moves us toward the
guarantees of our Constitution that “…all men are created equal…”.
As difficult as things are now, they will get better. They will get better because we will make them better. We will continue taking the steps necessary to ensure that everyone is respected, recognized and heard, and we will continue working with the community to make life better for all.
Join hands with us to build a better society.
Randy Avent, President
Rick Maxey, Chair, Diversity Committee
Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
