Dear NPRE Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, and Friends,
While acts of solidarity with the protesting public shown by many police officers around the country is heartening, repeated acts of violence and brutality against African Americans make it abundantly clear that the problem is systemic and must be addressed at that level. As President Killeen wrote over the weekend, “We have stood at this same point far too often in recent history.”
Brutality rooted in racism needs to be rooted out now and forever. I believe that it is important to reaffirm NPRE’s commitment to diversity, fairness, and inclusion, and to an environment that does not discriminate, and a culture that makes everyone feel equal.
We take pride in the fact that the NPRE family is a diverse one, made up of people from different backgrounds. We also know that, unfortunately, people from minority communities are sure to have dealt with racism. It can be difficult to know how to help and be part of the solution. First and foremost, we can listen and make sure the voices of our friends and colleagues – no matter their skin color – are heard with dignity and respect.
We can all help by educating ourselves and rooting out prejudice, racism, and discrimination in our personal lives and actions. By showing empathy, support and understanding in our daily lives, we can serve as role models to others.
Above all else, we in NPRE stand together with the knowledge that colleges and universities provide much more than an opportunity to earn a degree -- they also give us opportunities to grow out of our prejudices and biases, by coming face to face and interacting with others. We all will hopefully be taking advantage of that opportunity.
Rizwan Uddin
Professor and Department Head