Anti-Racism at SIUE

As I reflect over the last year and certainly the horrific shootings in Atlanta earlier this week, I write this message, carrying deep feelings of sorrow.  

I think back to Chancellor Pembrook’s message on Monday, when in his reflections on the murder of George Floyd, he recalled at that time asking, “How can this happen?  When tragically, the question should have been ‘How can this happen again? And again?” That’s a question I have also asked as I continue to witness the historical pattern of violence against Black and other people of color; even though, I am painfully all too familiar with the answer. 

The sad reality is that the same racial hierarchy that was used to justify and rationalize the institution of chattel slavery in the United States for centuries, and support the exploitation, displacement and discrimination of entire populations, is the same racial hierarchy that birthed the systems that led to the murder of George Floyd last May.  

The same racial hierarchy and systems of oppression that exist outside of campus, also function and operate at SIUE. The evidence of this is seen, for instance, in the equity gaps in graduation rates, reports of racially minoritized students not feeling included in the classroom, the lack of diversity among faculty, the ostracization that members of the East St. Louis campus community feel from the Edwardsville campus, and by way of a range of structures, practices, norms and policies.  

Somehow though, despite living and knowing this reality, I am still hopeful. I keep believing that one day, I will witness the dismantling of this racial hierarchy.  

In the introduction to his 2002 text, Freedom Dreams, The Black Radical Imagination, historian Robin D.G. Kelley referred to these words, taken from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1963 publication Strength to Love: 

“We Negroes have long dreamed of freedom, but still we are confined in an oppressive prison of segregation and discrimination. Must we respond with bitterness and cynicism? Certainly not, for this will destroy and poison our personalities…To guard ourselves from bitterness, we need the vision to see in this generation’s ordeals the opportunity to transfigure both ourselves and American society. Our present suffering and our nonviolent struggle to be free may well offer to Western civilization the kind of spiritual dynamic so desperately needed for survival.”  

Dr. Kelley wrote that these words challenged him to think about how it is that the most marginalized among us continued to produce a vision for American society that enabled them to see beyond their immediate sufferings. He also wondered how it was that time after time, Black people in particular, could transcend bitterness and cynicism and embrace love, hope, and an all-encompassing dream of freedom. 

This is challenging; the act of constantly having to rise above the frustrations, exhaustion and disappointments that come with loving a country that does not always demonstrate its love and valuing of people equally. Often times, I find that hope is the only thing keeping my head above water; the only thing guarding and protecting my otherwise weary spirit. It is critical that we continue to tap into the well of our own collective imaginations and hope; and do what so many generations before us have done, dream of a more inclusive and equitable future.  

Even if we don’t dream for ourselves, let’s dream for those who will come after us. My dream is for SIUE to be a national model for equity and excellence in higher education. Building a legacy of equity and excellence will not happen though, just because I hope it will. It will only happen with collective and persistent striving.  

I am encouraged by the work and spirit of collaboration I have seen during the course of the last year, as reflected in the messages shared throughout this week; and especially inspired by the more than 100 faculty, staff, students, administrators and local community members who served on the Anti-Racism Taskforce. But this is just the beginning.  

Today marks the end of my third week as Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. In between my marathon of zoom meetings, I have had some time to think about the organizational groundwork and foundation needed to propel us forward. This infrastructure will develop around a core, with (4) dimensions:  

Access & Success (Students, Faculty and Staff): Attentiveness to the demographic diversity of the University and ensuring equitable opportunities for all faculty, staff and students to succeed. 

Campus Climate: Commitment to creating a campus community where all are embraced and valued. 

Diversity Learning and Education: The intentional incorporation of diversity into the curriculum and active engagement with diversity for fostering student learning and development; also includes support for faculty, staff and administrators in acquiring knowledge and developing skills needed to approach their work with cultural competence, cultural humility and an equity mindset.  

Community Engagement: Considers the role of the University in addressing systemic inequality and improving outcomes for underserved populations in surrounding communities. 

 In weekly updates between now and the end of the summer, I will share more details about some of the reorganization that has already occurred to align with these dimensions. I will also share opportunities for each of you to get involved in a number of existing and developing efforts underway.  

 As we take this giant leap towards SIUE’s future, I invite each of you to seek out what is possible; to dream and think bigger and bolder than you ever have; and to not focus on what isn’t; but put your energy into building what can be. In those moments of frustration, weariness, confusion, and overwhelm that are sure to come, I ask you to remember these words of the late Jim Valvano, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”  

 As always, I am grateful for your support and look forward to traveling the road ahead with each of you. 

Jessica