June 3, 2020
Dear L&S Students,
Like many of you, I watched the video of the killing of George Floyd last week with horror and disgust. I have spent much of the past several days watching the news and checking my phone for updates on the civic unrest that has ensued throughout the country and close to home.
It is difficult for me to write a message to the L&S community in a way that is not personal. I am an African-American male, my daughter lives in Minneapolis, and my father and brother still live in Philadelphia where there have been large protests. I have been in a park and asked someone to control their dog. I have been on runs through different neighborhoods. The recent events in New York, Georgia, and Minneapolis hit home.
I know that words are woefully inadequate at this moment, but I want to acknowledge the pain, anger, and frustration felt by many members of our L&S community. It is real, it is justified, it can be overwhelming, and it can leave us with a debilitating sense of helplessness.
But let us not fall into thinking that systemic racism and injustice are problems too large and too pervasive for us to solve. Let us not fall into thinking that finding solutions is someone else’s responsibility. This is not work that can or should be only borne by a few. As individuals, we must all speak out and act against racism and injustice, acknowledge our biases and prejudices and work actively to counter them. As a community, we must work to ensure that all of us are safe, welcomed, and included. Together, it is our responsibility to do all that we can to end racism and injustice.
I do not know what it will take or how long it will take. But I do know that it will be harder and take longer if we are not all dedicated to ending racism and injustice all the time. Let us commit ourselves to that cause.
I deeply believe that the value of the broad L&S education in which you are engaged is that it prepares you to be leaders: leaders in your community, leaders in your chosen career, leaders in whatever situation you find yourself. That leadership depends on engagement. I know some of you are making your voices heard in protests in your communities. I was heartened by the number of people, our students included, who joined to help clean up State Street on Sunday, and I know that kind of work is going on in the Twin Cities and across the country. I applaud the work you are doing in your communities.
I hope that each of you is safe and finding the support that you need. The faculty and staff of L&S are here for you – no matter what the circumstances.
Eric M. Wilcots
Dean and Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy
College of Letters & Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison