Dear Friends of GWSS,

We were saddened and shocked to learn that one of our black university students was violently assaulted by three white men that he did not recognize earlier this week. The assault is being investigated by the Iowa City Police as a hate crime. While this young man was being physically beaten he was also subjected to repeated racial slurs.

Clearly, this is a hate crime. It is easy to pretend that hate crimes of this magnitude in our community are rare and that these kinds of assaults don’t generally happen to our students. However, we must recognize that violent, vehement racism is alive and well among some members of the community in which we live. Many of you may feel helpless but you can be an active part of the solution to violence and racism.

Apathy is harmful. If you hear racist, sexist, misogynistic, hateful language speak out. Don’t ignore it, don’t laugh it off, don’t let it go. Language can lead to harassment which can embolden perpetrators to use violence as a way to assert their power. You have to be part of the solution. Keep in mind that often crimes like these that draw attention to hatred can be just the tip of the iceberg. Civil unrest is likely to follow in the path of these events. History has played this out over and over. Support people who are using peaceful methods and/or civil disobedience to bring attention to issues sparked by such events. Attend rallies, write letters, attend a vigil, lead a prayer, ask questions, start fruitful discussions, stand as an ally, use your privilege to improve the safety and treatment of others who may lack that same privilege.

It is a great privilege to work and study at The University of Iowa where so many people from so many places exist. Help the university combat these kinds of attacks, join with like minded others to promote a safe, healthy, welcoming community for everyone.

#blacklivesmatter

With hope and in solidarity,

The faculty and staff of GWSS