Excerpt from the Wright State Guardian
By Makenzie Hoeferlin
The death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and the countless others who have been murdered for simply being black has sparked outrage across America.
As the Editor in Chief of The Wright State Guardian media group, I am writing to the WSU community to let you all know that we support you, and we stand for you and with you.
As we provide news to our community, know that we are working hard to present factual information and include all sides of every story.
No one will be left without a voice.
Other leaders within the WSU community have reached out with support in light of recent events.
“As president of Wright State University, I understand the limitations of a message like this, because it comes at a time when many in our community are in pain and angry,” said President Susan Edwards in a communication email Saturday morning. “At the same time, I hope you know that I stand with you in these challenging times.”
The Student Government Association (SGA) and Black Student Union (BSU) joined together for a statement on the events in Minneapolis writing, “While black and brown people cannot, at this time, feel safe in their own communities, it is our responsibility to take steps to ensure that they can feel safe on our campus.”
SGA and BSU called upon President Edwards and Police Chief David Finney, but they also called upon the WSU community.
“We call upon all members of the Wright State Campus Community to look deep at themselves, to recognize implicit bias and to recognize privilege and be willing to make changes that will ensure that our campus is a place where everyone can feel safe and everyone can enjoy the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness,” according to the statement.
We serve as leaders in our community and we will not let you down.
As leaders, it is our job to stand up for those who can’t. As leaders, it is our job to make sure no one’s voice goes unheard. As leaders, it is our job to fight for and protect all those who look up to us and rely on us.
But you don’t have to have a title to be a leader. Stand up for your fellow peers. Stand up for your classmates, friends and neighbors who fear for their lives every day; who are afraid because of THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN.
This is not a fight we are going to win by fixing violence with more violence. This is a fight we are going to win by joining together, and supporting our friends, neighbors and community, no matter where they are from or what they look like.
Turning Points | Photo by Soham Parikh | The Wright State Guardian
