SMC's Commitment to Social Justice

Dear SMC Community, 

My heart is heavy as our nation endures deep pain from the tragic shooting of yet another Black person, Jacob Blake. I pray for the Blake family and to all who have been impacted by this tragedy.  

This horrific and senseless act of violence, once again, reinforces the critical need for vigorous efforts to eradicate oppression and social injustice by fostering justice and inclusion and affirming the lives of Black people. Letetra Widman, Jacob Blake’s sister profoundly stated, "I don't want your pity...I want change." 

At Saint Mary’s, we are fostering change by working with students, faculty, and staff representatives from different cultural, social, and economic backgrounds to cultivate a campus climate that enables all of us to feel that we belong in this community. This effort is led by Kathy Littles ’94, PhD, associate provost for Faculty Affairs and senior diversity officer, and co-chair of the College Committee of Inclusive Excellence (CCIE). 

I am also proud that our students are actively taking part in the effort to cultivate change. Earlier this summer Shilei Bell-Lipsey ’22, Black Student Union president, penned a powerful letter to the SMC community on how the College could improve the way it addresses the needs of Black students. Her efforts resulted in a collective effort between the BSU, the Black Lives Matter Committee (a subcommittee of CCIE), and the Ethnic Studies department. Together, a list of demands/expectations were developed and presented to the College’s Executive Committee. These were reviewed at both All Staff Day and All Faculty Day. 

This fall, a series of CCIE-led forums will be held to address the list of issues. The sessions will be conducted online, and provide a safe space where community members can collectively strategize on how to dismantle oppressive systems and improve cultural and social justice dynamics on campus. Other CCIE subcommittees include the Afro-Latinx/Latinx Indigenous Peoples Action Committee, the Asian Pacific Islander Committee, the Religious Diversity and Interfaith Engagement Committee, and the Gender Equity and Women’s History Month Committee. They all have a critical leadership role in developing strategies and a call to action for improving social justice, civil rights, and respect for all people.  

As your President, I am proud that we are embracing a shared effort to address white privilege/supremacy culture, racism, and oppression. Our Lasallian Catholic heritage calls us to stand together and remain vigilant in our commitment to face these challenges head-on as we aspire to cultivate a community that acknowledges, respects, and celebrates our differences as well as our commonalities.

Sincerely,

 
James A. Donahue
President