On behalf of the SUNY Broome President’s Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion…

If you cannot breathe, you cannot be heard.  Systemic racism and oppression has choked Black and Brown people for generations.  In 1970, Gil Scott-Heron recorded “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” He didn’t realize the impact of technology merging onto the highway!  But, Scott-Heron’s lyrics ring true to this day…“Black people will be in the street looking for a brighter day.”  No one can escape the televised pain of our nation. Our beloved Broome County has been subjected to the replay of peaceful protests gone violent and viral. 

Be it known, in an expression of community solidarity, the SUNY Broome Community College, President’s Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion, publicly denounces all acts of hatred, bigotry, intolerance, and violence against any person or persons, regardless of their race or color.  We raise our united voice to condemn the many manifestations of racism, including but not limited to the recent reminders of an ugly history of racism in America: Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, who gave their lives to the televised revolution.

As the community’s college, with a mission of building a generation of social justice advocates, visionaries and leaders, our televised revolution must embrace an inclusive spirit, have the courage for difficult conversations and the wisdom and fortitude to make change.  We all must challenge prejudices and expand the sensitivities of our community members beyond the backgrounds from which anyone comes to our campus

For the Hornet Family, what is our call to action?  

  1. A willingness to take a deep dive into continued improvement of our institutional culture, to clear the airways so all members of the community can breathe and speak freely;
  2. Intentional education of all members of our academic community so they embrace the responsibility of having socially conscious citizenship grounded in justice, respect and integrity as well as embrace being wise caretakers of Mother Earth and all her beings;
  3. Solidarity, as we stand with our unobstructed breath in outrage while grieving because we know it takes courage and the village to address injustice.

The President’s Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion will serve as a catalyst for positive change so that the peaceful voices raised will be heard.  We stand with other peaceful voices and echo the cries of #Black Lives Matter.  The agenda set forth by the Task Force is intended to bring about a shift in the paradigm of a system long grounded in racism and injustice. 

As we progress through these challenging times, SUNY Broome has not and will not remain silent. To do so would undermine our mission, vision, and values to which we hold fast. We will hold steadfast in creating an inclusive environment, welcoming diverse thoughts and perspectives, while seeking to build a better world that champions peace, compassion, and kindness for all.  

For more information about the SUNY Broome Community College, President’s Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion, please email Dr. Carol Ross-Scott, Vice President for Student Development and Chief Diversity Officer at diversity@sunybroome.edu. 

Diversity & Inclusion at SUNY Broome Website

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