In Solidarity with Charlottesville

August 13, 2017

To the Members of the Trinity Community,

Our hearts go out to all in the University of Virginia and Charlottesville communities as they continue to deal with the aftermath of the violence and hatred that descended upon them over the last 48 hours.

The chaos that resulted in the death of 32-year old Heather Heyer and the injuries of many others was fueled by racism, not politics, and we stand in solidarity with UVA and all of higher education in denouncing such violence and making clear that it has no place on our campuses or in our country.

Neo-Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan, and other white supremacist groups have long sought to terrorize, and today they are dangerously emboldened. Our work as educators must advance diversity and inclusion and reject bigotry and ignorance. Higher education must continue to be a place where we can come together to examine and speak about the damaging effects of racism in our society. On this day, as we mourn the loss and extend our sympathies to those in Charlottesville, our resolve is stronger than ever to continue on our path toward understanding and inclusion.

Sincerely,

Joanne Berger-Sweeney
President and Trinity College Professor of Neuroscience