Taking time to reflect

May 25 marks one year since the senseless murder of George Floyd. We have lived through a year of protests and demonstrations around our nation. Our campus community responded with protests. Our community supported one another and provided resources. In response to the unrest in our nation, the Carolina Union staff have participated in discussions around creating a community of Diversity and Inclusion in the Union. As a staff, we have been having difficult conversations around diversity and inclusion. These conversations are needed for us to support one another, learn, grow, and educate our students. We are embarking on the next steps of the Carolina Union’s Diversity and Equity plan this summer to be implemented in the fall semester.   

A message was sent out to our campus community yesterday from the University Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and we hope you will take time and reflect.   

Message from the University Office of Diversity and Inclusion: 

On Tuesday, May 25 at noon, the Bell Tower will ring an additional nine times in recognition of George Floyd’s final trauma. We invite you to take 9 minutes and 29 seconds at that time to reflect in silence on the violence inflicted upon and pain suffered by African American and Black people in the U.S., how our country has responded and changed over the past year, and how we can each improve our understanding, relationships, and support of the BIPOC community both at Carolina and beyond. George Floyd did not die in vain – instead, he galvanized a nation and our campus. 

Thank you 

Alexandra Marchesano 

Executive Director of the Carolina Union 

Resources for the Campus Community

The CAPS Multicultural Health Program is specifically dedicated to meeting the needs of students of color.

Black Mental Health Resources (curated by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness) provides a variety of outlets to support your well-being at any time…but particularly during this time of crisis.

Anti-Racism Resources

Numerous articles, videos, podcasts, books, websites, films, tv series, organizations and more can be found on the Diversity and inclusion Office Anti-Racism Resources page to help facilitate dialogue.