The University of Toronto shares the profound distress and heartache of our community in response to the recent mass shooting in Buffalo, New York. The violent hate crime that happened last weekend is horrid and demonstrates that anti-Black racism and other forms of racism continue to be destructive, harmful, and divisive. We stand in solidarity with our Black community members at this extremely difficult time.
We recognize that this event and other recent events of intersecting forms of racial violence have imposed an enormous burden of pain, fear, anger, and fatigue on racialized members of our community. Recognition of racism is insufficient. These recent events demonstrate the need for us to come together to reflect, restore and take action to address the racism and discrimination that persists in our society. Our collective responsibility is to purposefully work to educate, advocate, and act to fight racial discrimination.
Community restorative spaces (in-person and virtual) are being coordinated through the Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office (ARCDO)’s Reflect Restore Action Program in collaboration with the Equity Diversity and Inclusion Offices at UTSC and UTM. Dates and more information will be available on the ARCDO website shortly.
For those who require support, I encourage you to contact the Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Offices at UTSC and UTM so we can help connect you with the appropriate resources. As a reminder, employees also have 24/7 access to counselling and other mental-health support via our Employee & Family Assistance Program.
It is especially important now that we reaffirm our commitment as a community to combating racism and discrimination. Together we can strive for change.