VICE PRESIDENT ENEWS MESSAGES

Each year around the anniversary of my mother’s death, I travel home to Decatur to put flowers on her headstone and share news of my life. As I did so recently, I was overcome with emotion. In fact, for a time, I simply shed a few tears. Where to begin? I can only imagine what my mother would have thought about our world and the issues of today.

As I shared with students recently, like so many around the world, I am appalled by the senseless deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and now, Rayshard Brooks, following the violent deaths of too many Black community members before them. Over my lifetime, the path to justice and equity has been long and unsteady—and continues still.

Many in our community are hurting deeply in this moment, and like me, sometimes at a loss for words. We need to be sure to take care of ourselves, so we can continue to be there for our students. And we must listen closely to their cries for change. It has been heartening to see so many students and student groups across UGA step up and use their voices and move toward positive change. Our Black students especially, need us to support and stand with them. Together we all must do our parts and take meaningful action where we can to further improve our student community at UGA—and toward the betterment of our world.

My mother always believed in having the tough conversation from which good may come. Now it is our turn.