Birmingham-Southern College stands with our community on the Hilltop and around the nation in condemning acts of hatred, racism, injustice, bigotry, and violence, and specifically, the killings of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Ga., Breonna Taylor in Louisville, and George Floyd in Minneapolis. It is important to acknowledge that these are only the most recent incidents in our nation’s history of injustice and violence committed against the African-American community. The emotion and outrage ignited by these killings reflect generations of frustration and anger with respect to how law enforcement and the judicial system have let African-Americans down, simply because of who they are.

When such injustices are exposed, there is an opportunity – indeed, a moral obligation – for institutions like Birmingham-Southern College to be clear on where we stand:

• We are a community of scholars and servant leaders whose values are grounded in honor, fairness, and kindness.
• We are committed to the education of responsible people of integrity who will lead lives of significance, using their gifts to make the world a better place.
• We believe in the rights of all citizens as stated in the Bill of Rights.

For more than 100 years, BSC has been part of Birmingham, and Birmingham has been part of us. We are connected in our struggles and in our achievements. To be sure, there are moments in BSC’s past and in Birmingham’s past in which we could and should have done more to advance the cause of justice, including racial justice. There are also moments in which students, faculty, and others associated with the College, as well as good people of Birmingham, stepped up to move our city forward. The peaceful protests in Birmingham on Saturday and Sunday, followed by rioting late Sunday night, remind us that we all have much work to do to uphold the principle of equal protection that the 14^th Amendment ensures for all citizens of our country.

As an institution of higher learning focused on the liberal arts, we believe in the power of education, and we encourage all to seek out knowledge of the issues that challenge our country and our society. There are many ways to do that, including listening to the voices speaking out during this time of unrest, reading the works of African-American writers, seeking out works by African-American visual and performing artists, and examining the history of our own institutions and hometowns. By reflecting on what we see and hear, and through civil discourse with others – especially those whose views have been shaped by experiences different from our own – we engage in the critical thinking that leads to change and progress, both within ourselves and throughout the world.

At this moment, and for as long as Birmingham-Southern College remains on the Hilltop, we commit to the hard work ahead. We deplore the violence that has broken out here and across the country. We affirm our belief that the United States is a nation of laws, and that those laws and protections apply equally to all Americans. And we rededicate ourselves to the process of learning how to understand one another, so that we, our community, and our nation can achieve our greatest potential.

• • •

For our students, we know that news coverage, social media images, and videos of violence, as well as personal experiences with racism, take a mental and emotional toll. Please know we have resources available to you. For counseling services, email Cara Blakes ([email protected]) or Marlena Stowe ([email protected]). Assistant Director of Residence Life Brandon Brown ([email protected]) and Director of Student Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Kristie Williams ([email protected]) are both available to speak with students who would like help processing this week’s events. You can also text the National Crisis Hotline “HOME” to 741741.

For employees of BSC, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available – providing unlimited telephone access to EAP professionals 24 hours a day, three face-to-face sessions with a counselor, and access to a resource library – by calling (800) 316-2796 or visiting www.mutualofomaha.com/eap.