April 20, 2021
To the Members of the MCNY Community,
This afternoon, justice was served as former police office Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of George Floyd. But while we welcome the verdict, we cannot rest easy, as this depraved killing was the product of a system built on centuries of violence against Black Americans. We may hope that today will mark a turning point, but history has taught us that the work of anti-racism requires ongoing persistence, courage and vigilance.
Each of us has an important role in this struggle. And Metropolitan College of New York—which was founded in 1964 to promote social justice through higher education—will continue to serve and sustain our individual and collective efforts to advance the work of anti-racism.
Last year, the MCNY Board of Trustees reaffirmed its commitment to intentionally advance practices of diversity, anti-racism and inclusion within the college and across our communities. And in the midst of a global pandemic that disproportionately impacted Black and Brown communities, MCNY faculty, staff, and students have come together in new ways to listen, to witness, and to learn from each other’s grief, trauma and dreams. Together we found healing, and together we persevered towards our goal of dismantling systemic inequality by leading constructive change.
There is a long road ahead. But we will succeed if we work together against racism in all its forms and all its guises. The members of the MCNY community will continue to strive to deepen our capacity to support each other as we work towards our common purpose. United We Stand.
Joanne Passaro
