Message from the President

Dear College Community,

In recent days we have all been witnessing nationwide protests and demonstrations in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Tragically, George, Breonna, and Ahmaud are only the most recent and most public instances of black men and women being subjected to egregious and unjust acts of violence at the hands of white Americans.

These deaths are the result of the larger tragedy of continued systemic inequities that people of color face in this country. The continued discrimination, poverty, and social disparities experienced by people of color have created a situation where these communities not only continue to experience disproportionate levels of violence, incarceration, and poverty, but they are also being hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic both in terms of health and economic impacts.

At SPSCC we talk about diversity and equity as a core value of our work. We work to protect and respect the rights and freedoms of every individual on campus and part of that work is engaging in uncomfortable conversations, especially in times of crisis.

We encourage all of you—students, alumni, staff, and faculty alike—to find ways to meaningfully engage in the conversations and actions generated by the tragic deaths of George, Breonna, and Ahmaud. The continuing crisis of violence against people based on race, ethnicity, or political status is intolerable and it is our responsibility to put our values to practice and play an active role in generating a positive wave of action and change.

To be clear, the crises we are facing as a nation are longstanding and solutions will not be easy or swift. But change is possible and, like so many other changes in our nation’s history, it will start (and has started) in our local communities with individuals making commitments to one another to stand together and act.

We grieve for all those lost to this national tragedy and will continue working to be a part of the changes our world so badly need.

With respect,

Tim 

Dr. Timothy Stokes
President
South Puget Sound Community College

July 1, 2020