BLACK LIVES MATTER: Statement from the Columbia School of Social Work Community
As members of Columbia University's School of Social Work community, we stand in solidarity with allies across the country as we process the news of a Grand Jury decision not to indict Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner. One week after a similar decision not to indict Darren Wilson, the officer who killed Michael Brown, we are called again—as professionals and citizens—to speak out against systemic racism and oppression in our country overall and our justice system in particular.
As a social work community charged with a mission to promote human rights and social justice, we are outraged by the decision and call for immediate and sustained action to examine, analyze and redress the harmful and pervasive effects of racism.
Black lives matter.
Communities of color are disproportionately targeted by police and the justice system. Violations of basic human rights in the name of law and order, including the deaths of people of color at the hands of those charged to protect them and our civil society, are unacceptable. Immediate attention and resources are needed to begin healing and to ensure they will not happen again (or be tolerated) today, tomorrow, next week, EVER.
Black lives matter.
Today we join social work colleagues from Smith College, Portland State University, the National Association of Social Workers and numerous other organizations and schools who have made public statements in the wake of Michael Brown’s death and the Ferguson, MO, Grand Jury decision, in calling for community members to engage in offering:
- Immediate and sustained meaningful support to those closest to these struggles;
- Non-violent social and political action to demand systemic change that promotes justice, safeguards human rights, and ensures fair and equitable treatment and respect for all people;
- Critical dialogue about the systemic forces of racism that shape us and construct and constrict our perceptions about and relationships with others;
- Investigation and analysis of the many ways racism and structural oppression affect our communities—the places we all live, work and study; and
- Development of collective community approaches to begin healing both the acute pain and suffering caused by these events and the historical trauma relived in their wake and every day.
Michael Brown matters.
Eric Garner matters.
Black lives matter.
Signed:
Mariela G. Alburges
Maria Teresa Alzuru
Randi Anderson
M.K. Babcock
William Bailey
Kim Barberich
Ashley Bogosian
Rosa Maria Bramble
Daniel Bustillo
Miriam P. Callahan
Ed Cardona, Jr.
Helaine Ciporen
Christine A. Consiglio
Jenny Crawford
Natasha Dachos
Amanda Erekson
Juan David Gastolomendo
Amanda Glass
Bonnie Glass
Channon J. Greenfield
Timothy Hunt
Tina Jiwatram-Negron
Alysse Jordan
Kay Johnson
Su Jin Suzy Kim
Jenni Kurosman
Kathryne Leak
Karma Lowe
Adeline Medeiros
Judith Marks
Aizhan Mitteldorf
Onaje Muid
Wendy Naidich
Meagan Patrick
Adam Pelligrini
Cameron Rasmussen
Dorothy Robinson
Amanda Rocha
Raysa Rodriguez
Ana Singh
Tamara L. Smith
Helle Thorning
Katherine Tineo
Jenna Tutjer
Charles R. Williamson, Jr.
David Yam
Related Links:
- Ferguson and Its Implications for the Social Work Community
- "You are today's Whitney Young": Vernon Jordan Delivers Stirring 2013 Commencement Address
- In New Documentary, Whitney Young Speaks to Social Workers of Today
Related External Link:
"Decisions Not to Indict in Deaths of Black Men Spark Activism on Campuses," by Katharine Mangan, Chronicle of Higher Education (9 December 2014) cites the CSSW statement.
Image: "Black Lives Matter Black Friday," by Otto Yamamoto via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0).
