April 20, 2021

Dear SOJC community,

Almost a year ago, the world watched with horror and disbelief as George Floyd lost his life under the knee of a policeman who would not listen to his pleas, nor the pleas of those around him. It was not the first time a Black man was murdered unjustly by law enforcement, and it was not the last.

Like so many, I felt extremely anxious this morning about the outcome of Chauvin’s murder trial and its implications. Now that he has been convicted, I feel relief.

Although this was only one case among thousands, I join President Schill in hoping this conviction will mark a turning point toward a culture of accountability, and a step toward a more equitable criminal justice system.

However, I know there is still far to go before our broken system is healed. The anti-racism revolution that was re-sparked by the horrific video of George Floyd’s murder has been a very long time coming, and we must work together to ensure it continues. We cannot allow ourselves to fall yet again into complacency; we must remain vigilant in standing up to and speaking out against racism and hate in all its forms.

The areas of practice and research we study at the SOJC have a significant role to play in keeping the flame of social justice ignited. Our students are learning skills and ethics that will help them make a difference in our troubled society by shining light on injustices and communicating about possible solutions to our social ills. I have hope that these future generations will make unprecedented progress in moving the needle toward a more just and equitable society.

I also want to recognize that, regardless of the verdict, this has been a difficult week and a difficult year for our Black students, faculty, and staff. They have been re-traumatized by the footage and coverage of Black lives being lost, again and again. We must continue to offer these valued members of our community the support, compassion, and space they need. To those of you who are struggling, please take note of the campus resources that President Schill cited in his message earlier this evening. And I hope you feel empowered to reach out to me or to your colleagues if there is any way we can lighten your load.

Thank you for all you do, and please take care of yourself.

Juan-Carlos Molleda, Ph.D.
Edwin L. Artzt Dean and Professor