Statement on Anti-Black Violence
The Carolina Center for Public Service condemns anti-Black violence and strives to support Black people in our communities.
June 1, 2020
Updated June 2, 2020
As communities everywhere cope with a global pandemic that disparately impacts Black people and other people of color, it has been especially difficult for many to bear witness to the latest horrific examples of anti-Black violence. In this time of crisis, we must acknowledge and mourn together the tragic and preventable deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery—among others who are not currently in the news.
A recent statement by the UNC Office for Diversity and Inclusion emphasizes that our responsibility as students, staff and faculty is to advocate for, care for and support one another regardless of identity or culture. The Office for Diversity and Inclusion has launched a platform called Your Voice Matters, where anyone can safely share thoughts, perspectives and feelings on what is happening in our country.
Here are just a few of the many resources and readings on systemic and structural racism:
- Glossary for Understanding the Dismantling Structural Racism/Promoting Racial Equity Analysis
- How to Be an Anti-Racist, by Ibram X. Kendi, who spoke at UNC’s African American History Month Lecture in February 2019
- Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice, Paul Kivel
- Towards the “Other America”: Anti-Racist Resources for White People Taking Action for Black Lives Matter, Chris Crass
- Policing Black Bodies: How Black Lives are Surveilled and How to Work for Change, Angela J. Hattery
You can find additional anti-racism resources on this Diversity and Inclusion webpage.
As the University Chancellor’s office expressed in a parallel statement on Saturday, we recognize the stress these events cause members of our community, especially the Black community. We encourage anyone in the Carolina community to use the following resources for your mental health:
- Students can contact the Office of the Dean of Students and/or Counseling and Psychological Services.
- Faculty and staff can use the Employee Assistance Program.
- Anyone can find information for Black and African American individuals’ mental health via the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which offers resources for finding the right providers.