Message from the Elms Athletic Department
Chicopee, MA - In response to the circumstances surrounding the senseless death of Goerge Floyd and the racial discrimination that still stains our country, this public statement from the Blazer Athletic Family supports earlier Elms College public statements from our president, Dr. Harry Dumay and from Dr.Candia-Bailey and Michael Crawford from the Division of Student Affairs.
The Elms College Athletic Department stands united in its anger over the senseless murder of George Floyd and outraged at the blatant disregard for a black man's life exhibited by the involved policemen in Minneapolis who took an oath to serve and protect. This long-standing pattern of racial injustice and violence must stop now:
- Elms College Athletics stands FOR community and justice for all people.
- Elms College Athletics stands TOGETHER in our rejection of racism and our support of diversity.
- Elms College Athletics stands UP for each other and against senseless violence.
- Elms College Athletics stands WITH Black Lives Matter and those who are protesting discrimination in our country.
- Elms College Athletics will NOT stand DOWN when someone is attacked simply because of the color of their skin and when others violate our Elms College Core Values of Faith, Justice, Community, and Excellence.
While the above-stated words are powerful, the real power comes from action. The Blazer Athletic Family is genuinely diverse, and we are all incredibly proud of that. Athletics has historically been leaders in positive societal change in this country and must continue to do so right now. We must seize this opportunity to lead and to act. At a time when decisive leadership and action are needed, each of us must step forward to answer that call. We are creatures of habit, and this will be a considerable challenge. We need to visibly show respect and dignity for each other, engage in honest ongoing dialogue, commit to listen and learn from each other, and lead by example as well as by words.
