Dear Clarkson Community,
We come to MLK Day at a critical moment of reckoning for our society and our community. We must consider as an educational institution what our role is to play in these historic events. How do we draw on the wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr to address systemic racism in our institution, communities, and governmental and social institutions? King called out these flaws in American society and asked us to conceive of a better way, a beloved community. A goal that seems far removed from our current reality. Yet, today is an important day to struggle with his dream of a beloved community and work towards addressing systemic racism.
We must engage in this difficult task and continue the dialog meant to address systemic racism. We must also continue in our efforts to address systemic racism in our own institution. Last summer we drafted a DEIB Anti-Racism Plan that covers six areas: training & development, academic curriculum & pedagogy, Recruitment of BIPOC Staff, Faculty, and Students, Institutional Decision Making, Community Safety and Belonging, Acknowledging and Celebrating Clarkson’s Diversity. Here is a link to a copy of the plan with updates on efforts. This is a working document and will be updated regularly. We will also host more feedback events regarding the plan.
Please join in commemorating this day by attending the MLK event this evening, The Arc of the Moral Universe: From Underground Railroad to Black Lives Matter. In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day, join us for a Keynote with Jacqueline Madison (President of the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association & Museum) as we talk about the legacies of the Underground Railroad, the reconstruction era, the Jim Crow era, the Civil Rights Movement and how all of those historical periods have impacted today’s social justice movements. A Q&A period with the speaker will follow. Please RSVP by going to: tinyurl.com/ClarksonMLKDay2021
Dr. King asserted “we are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there “is” such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”
My fellow community members, let us act.
Sincerely,
Jen Ball
Chief Inclusion Office
jball@clarkson.edu