Dr. Washington's Response to George Floyd's Death

June 1, 2020

Dear College Community,
Over these last several months, I have remained in contact with you about the impact of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic and its impact on our students, faculty, staff and the communities we serve. It has been my priority to communicate with you regularly with detail and compassion. I continue to appreciate our combined response to this unprecedented situation. Today, I am choosing to communicate about another topic, which also threatens the very fabric of what we value as educators and citizens. I’m talking about the recent death of George Floyd of Minneapolis. Mr. Floyd, a black man, died while being detained by a white police officer. I am deeply saddened by the death of this man and we extend our condolences to his family and to everyone involved in this horrifying situation.

I pray that justice will prevail. This incident, and others like it, troubles me. I believe that this death and the ensuing violence all across America impacts our college community and the broader communities we serve here locally. The images we see on social media and the news coverage forces us to pay attention. In response and especially during these times of great uncertainty, I am choosing to deeply embrace the college’s shared values of diversity and equality.

Kalamazoo Valley has an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion which means acknowledging injustice and inequity while seeking justice. We strive to make the college a safe place where all people can take part in the exchange of viewpoints and ideas, which is a hallmark of an educational experience.

The college continues to provide training for frontline public servants, including those enrolled in our police and corrections academies, law enforcement and fire safety and medical careers including first responders and nurses. We will continue to do all we can to prepare these professionals with the competencies they need to perform admirably with dignity and respect for all persons.

I want you to know that I will not allow the pandemic or injustice against any of our citizens to change my view of humanity and the work we are called to do at Kalamazoo Valley. I will continue to embrace the values we hold dear. I am asking you to continue to work with me to ensure that these values are reflected in all we do here at the college and in the communities we serve.

Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.