In an email to the ETSU community Tuesday, university members addressed the verdict of the Derek Chauvin murder trial and announced that the Multicultural Center would host a series of in-person conversation sessions this week about the subject.
The email, signed by ETSU President Brian Noland, Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Keith Johnson, Senior Vice President for Academics and Interim Provost Wilsie Bishop and Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment Joe Sherlin, said although Chauvin’s guilty verdict in the trial for the murder of George Floyd may provide relief to people knowing justice was served, “the wounds our nation has experienced as a result of centuries of racial and social inequalities,” cannot be healed through a single decision or day.
“To tackle these difficult and uncomfortable issues, we must speak with honesty, integrity, and courage,” the email said. “More importantly, we must listen with empathy and compassion, seeking to learn and understand even when we feel scared or uncomfortable. In this spirit, we invite students, faculty, and staff to come together peacefully to reflect, share, and listen as we all process the thoughts and emotions generated by the outcome in the Derek Chauvin murder trial and the all-too-common violent acts occurring regionally and nationally.”
The first conversation held in the Multicultural Center took place Tuesday at 7 p.m., and the remaining sessions will take place today at 1 p.m. and Friday at 3 p.m. The sessions are hosted and coordinated by ETSU Dean of Students Michelle Byrd, ETSU Multicultural Center Director Carshonda Martin, ETSU Counseling Center Director Dan Jones and Student Access and Success.
“East Tennessee State University has a sacred duty to facilitate growth and understanding,” the email said. “To help tear down the walls that divide us and find common ground. That includes recognizing the diversity of perspectives and experiences within our community. It means doing our utmost to ensure that underrepresented voices are heard.”
The email also provided information about other resources for ETSU community members, such as the ETSU Counseling Center, Bucs Press 2, the Employee Assistance Program, the Dean of Students website, BucsCARE and the Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center Page.
The email said that within the coming days and weeks, the university will provide information about more opportunities to participate in the ongoing work to end racism, injustice, violence and inequality.
“It is up to each of us to live the values of our ETSU community, which hold that people come first and are treated with dignity and respect,” the email said.
