A message in response to the anti-Black attack in Buffalo
Once again, racially motivated violence has dominated headlines. While the events that unfolded in Buffalo on May 14 were not here at home, the impact of this anti-Black violence can’t be confined by any distances or borders. We are not immune to the effects of racism and hate and I am writing to you out of concern.
As a college community let’s pause to remember and honour the victims of the Buffalo Black community who were attacked and murdered while grocery shopping. We extend our sympathies to the families and communities that are mourning these tragic, needless losses.
We continue to be committed to providing education and opportunities at Mohawk to address systemic racism. Together, we must build a community that will not tolerate discrimination in any form. We strive to be a welcoming, supportive and inclusive place of learning and work.
If you find yourself struggling in the wake of this latest traumatizing news, you are not alone. Please talk to someone about how you are feeling. There are supports available to you through our college and in the community.
- For staff: The Employee Assistance Program is available to all Mohawk College staff through MyMohawk. Additional community resources can be found on the Equity, Diversity And Inclusion page on the MyMohawk website.
- For students: The counselling department can be reached at https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/student-well-being/counselling. You can also contact Empower Me (for all students) 1-833-628-5589 www.studentcare.ca or Good2Talk 1-866-925-5454 www.good2talk.ca. In the community, you can contact the Black Youth Helpline (Canada-wide) Contact Mohawk’s Social Inc. (socialinc@mohawkcollege.ca) if you would like to join a regular Racialized Student Hang-out.
Please take care of yourself and each other.
Sincerely,
Ron J. McKerlie
President & CEO