Message from the Staff Assembly

June 8, 2020 | Response to Racial Unrest

We have spent a lot of time processing the devastating events that have occurred around our country. We continue to process and grieve over the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and Breonna Taylor. We condemn police brutality and behaviors that lead to senseless killings. We are deeply saddened, disturbed but most of all outraged by what we witnessed. Misuse of power and racism has effected countless individuals, particularly people of color, which results in the disproportionate acts of mistreatment, imprisonment, and death of human beings. This shall not be tolerated. We stand with all members of our Black community in these trying times. We all need to rise together as “One Tribe One Family” and commit to fight against inequalities and injustice. We must commit to learning from history and not allowing the cycle to repeat itself.

We also express deep compassion for those suffering from COVID-19. We recognize this pandemic has effected over 100,000 Americans and their families. Furthermore, we acknowledge the effects of the virus are disproportionately felt at alarming rates in Black communities across the United States.

William & Mary’s Staff Assembly’s dominate value is belonging and we will continue to embody that value on and off the campus. We will continue to embrace, support and promote equality and equity. We invite all W&M Staff to meet us at the Virtual Water Cooler to discuss and process. We encourage Staff to use this safe space as your opportunity to connect with your colleagues, share out, listen and ask questions.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the W&M community and the country during this ongoing difficult time in our history.

Be safe and stay well.

Best regards,

W&M Staff Assembly
Arielle S. Newby, President
Robin Y. Hollenbeck, Vice President