TWU Statement about Racial Violence

May 29, 2020 - DENTON - The following statement was sent to TWU students on Friday, May 29 from Monica Mendez-Grant, vice president for Student Life:

Dear Students,

Our campus and our communities have faced unprecedented challenges over the past three months and reactions to those challenges have varied widely. We have witnessed the extremes of humanity--good and bad, tenacious and yielding, compassionate and intolerant. There have been shared moments of healing and celebration and unfortunate, unspeakable acts of violence.

A sense of community runs deep at TWU. It is what attracted many of us here, and what keeps us going. Our sense of community is what has always been unique at TWU. That feeling of belonging - the sense that you're an integral part of a community where you're accepted and valued - is healing. It is associated with greater well-being, cognitive function and job satisfaction.

With the rise of concerns about COVID-19, there have been increasing incidents of xenophobia and racism targeting Chinese and other Asian people worldwide. Acts of exclusion, harassment, and hate speech simply impair our abilities to work together as a community at a crucial time.

The last few months have also proved difficult for many in our community as we watched the forcible return of at least 1,000 unaccompanied migrant children to northern Central America and Mexico. There have also been increased incidents of discrimination against DACA students. As a community who values inclusion, we continue to witness racism that should have no place in a civilized society.

Most recently, the death of George Floyd and the tragic events in Minnesota bear witness to the continued problem of historic racism and violence that simmers just beneath the surface of our nation. This incident as well as other recent events, including the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia and Breonna Taylor in Kentucky are heartbreaking examples of what happens when long-standing bias and racial prejudice are not confronted.

Texas Woman’s stands against these acts and condemns racial violence and inequity. Students struggling with the impact of these events are encouraged to visit Counseling and Psychological Services for additional support. I also encourage you to contact the TWU Department of Public Safety any time you are concerned about physical safety, and you may use the incident report form to report any acts of intolerance.

While we try to look for the best, we are often confronted by the worst. Let us join together in our continued commitment to each other and our dedication to combating racism and ending racial violence.

Page last updated 9:19 AM, July 21, 2023