Black Lives Matter: A Letter to the Community and Resources for Engagement

EDUCATE. REFLECT. TAKE ACTION.

Today, we are writing with a heavy heart. We grieve with you over the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, James Scurlock, and so many others. We do not condone the police brutality or systemic racism that plagues our communities and stand in solidarity with those who are taking action to dismantle systems and policies that continuously marginalize Black people.

We recognize that silence is not an option. This is a time for us to reflect and recalibrate. It’s time to rethink how we build community and deepen our commitment to creating a world free of racial injustice.

Active citizenship is the foundation of the Community Service Center. Our goal is to build strong, lasting relationships with community partners who are working diligently to address injustice within their communities. By providing the Boston University community with opportunities to address critical social issues through service, we hope to inspire folks to take action and deepen their civic engagement.

As a center, we are committed to fostering a space where all are supported and empowered to reflect, learn, and take action against racial injustice. We are committed to starting and engaging in conversations surrounding racial justice and structural inequity. Though this may be difficult and uncomfortable, we see this as a critical step to building awareness and forward progress.

However, we cannot create change alone. We encourage members of the Boston University community to reflect on both current and past injustices faced by Black communities across the nation and, when ready to do so, to take action. Active citizens are not created overnight, and we recognize that everyone begins from a different place. There are many excellent resources available and we have included a few below to help you get started.

To all of our students, know that the CSC is and will always remain a brave space for you to learn, grow, and empower yourself and others to fight against injustice. To our Black students, we will continue to listen, to validate you and your experiences, and to pursue this fight with you.

Black Lives Matter.

In service and solidarity,

The Boston University Community Service Center

Educate

Diversify where and how you receive your information. Read books, listen to podcasts, and watch movies and TV shows by Black authors, directors, and artists.

• Books
  • How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
  • Citizen: An American Lyric – Claudia Rankine
• Podcasts
  • Black& (April and Johnathan Perkins) – Apple Podcasts
  • Still Processing (Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris) – Apple Podcasts
• Movies/TV Shows
  • If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins) – Hulu
  • When They See Us (Ava Duvernay) – Netflix

Reflect

Reflection is imperative to our growth as effective members of our communities. We urge you to consider these questions when reflecting on your role in eliminating racial injustice.

1. What have you learned in the past few weeks?
2. How are you examining the role of racial bias and privilege in your life?
3. What steps will you take to further educate yourself on the topics of systemic racism and racial inequity?
4. What will you do to support Black folks in your neighborhood and local community?
5. How will you make your education, action, and reflection efforts sustainable?
6. What other questions should you ask yourself?

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