Acknowledgement of the Chauvin Trial Verdict
April 20, 2021
The guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin has shown that accountability has prevailed in the killing of George Floyd, but justice remains to be accomplished.
Regardless of today’s outcome, much more work is yet to be done to ensure a more just and equitable society. We join Northwestern leadership in the commitment to the pursuit of systemic change and to ending racism and bigotry in all forms.
It is important to acknowledge the range of feelings that today’s outcome brings, and to remember that many people in our community are still hurting, especially those in our Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities. While some members of our Northwestern community may appreciate expressions of comfort, others may ask for solitude and time for reflection, not only surrounding this verdict but also the many examples of senseless violence impacting their lives.
For those who wish to reflect on today's outcome with our TGS community, we remind you that we will host a Casual Conversations with TGS Leadership event tomorrow, April 21, from 10:00–11:00 AM CDT via Zoom. This is a safe space to express your feelings. It is an opportunity to ask questions and to share anything on your minds with members of The Graduate School’s leadership team. Please register here to receive the Zoom link.
Please reach out to The Graduate School team if we can be of any assistance. Additional well-being support is available through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for graduate students and the Employee Assistance Program for faculty, staff, and postdoctoral trainees. CAPS always has a counselor available for students to speak with whenever it is useful for them to do so. The best way to connect with CAPS for urgent needs is to call their office at 847.491.2151.
Today’s verdict is not a signal to stop fighting, but a catalyst to continue working together to collectively create a better tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Kelly E. Mayo
Walter and Jennie Bayne Professor of Molecular Biosciences
Interim Dean of The Graduate School and
Interim Associate Provost for Graduate Education
Damon L. Williams, Jr.
Assistant Dean
Office of Diversity and Inclusion
The Graduate School
Categories: From the Dean