We are saddened and outraged by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Racism has been deeply embedded in America from before its founding and still exists in nearly every community and institution in the country.
Therefore, we stand alongside those calling for reforms, and express to our Black students, colleagues, and fellow community members that we hear their voices in this painful time. As scholars of international affairs, we approach the study of racism in different parts of the world, and we are aware that its manifestations can be found in many different institutions and cultural outputs. We are committed to engaging with our students, colleagues, and broader communities on these matters. We acknowledge the work ahead of us here at TCNJ to address racism.
Recognizing our own personal involvement in political and economic systems which perpetuate and institutionalize racism and injustice is just the first step in this process, but important nonetheless. We are committed to help reform these systems through our research, teaching, advocacy, and political participation.