Message from Dr. John Hamilton on George Floyd

Sharing what I communicated to the staff I lead, which is a diverse group of amazing individuals. This also was shared with our phenomenal Black Faculty, Staff, and Black Student Union.

Hello All,

Considering where we are bookmarked in the world right now, I greet you still with a heavy heart and with hope. Many times, I started this communication, but was at a loss for words. Even now, I struggle to string the correct words together to convey what our Black faculty, staff, and students at CSULB may be feeling and needing. As a Black man, the impact is overwhelming. As a Black man, who has been stopped numerous times by the police, I am blessed that those outcomes allowed me to walk away safely. As a Black man and your Assistant Vice President, University Access & Retention, I am compelled to tell you we will rise from this, but not without any constructive actions and solutions.

The abuse and killings of Black people have been and continues to be embedded in the history of the United States. More importantly, the loudness of the silence has been unbearable and could be considered as an indictment of how this may not affect certain individuals and/or groups. Ahmaud Arbery, 25, was a Black man, who was shot dead on February 23 while out jogging in Brunswick, Georgia.  Breonna Taylor, 26, was a Black woman, who was shot and killed by the police in her home in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 13 during a narcotics raid. George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, who was killed on May 25 after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground by a white police officer’s knee, in an incident that was recorded on video for several minutes. I say/write their names to utter the breathe they will never take again.

Earlier, I spoke of constructive actions and solutions. I ask that you stand with me today and every day to close the opportunity gap at CSULB. I ask that you stand every day to be intentional about equity and understand there can’t be equality unless there is equity. I ask that you reach into your soul and research your heart to create ways to be a student-ready campus. Silence while providing good work will not be our name. Join me with taking up the mantle for equity, social justice, and opportunity with our voice and action.

I wish all Black faculty, staff, and students healing space and continued phenomenal growth during this time; but we all will thrive. I thank our allies for the words of encouragement, but now I seek your support in action.

I leave you with the words of James Baldwin, “For these are all our children, we will all profit by or pay for what they become.”