Dear UAB Faculty and Community,

The recent tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, as well as countless other People of Color, has highlighted the long legacy of institutional and structural racism in this country that has defined the daily realities of individuals facing bigotry, discrimination, hate, and injustice. The amount of pain experienced by the African American, Latinx, and many other communities during these turbulent times is inconceivable, especially during a pandemic that is disproportionately affecting communities of Color.

On behalf of the UAB faculty, the Faculty Senate expresses support for human rights and racial justice. Racism, hate, and violence are inconsistent with our Shared Values and do not represent the diverse culture at UAB. We support freedom of expression, the right to decry injustice, and the protection of the lives, rights, and freedoms for all. We commit to act ethically in treating all people with respect, courtesy, and civility. We proudly support our Undergraduate Student Body Government in condemning the toxic racism and senseless violence, and stand in support of all people who are fighting for racial and ethnic justice in this nation.

Our university sits at a historic location of the Civil Rights Movement. Birmingham was marred by violence against African Americans for well over a century and remains burdened by racial injustices. As educators, researchers, and community leaders, we must be committed to identifying and eliminating the racial disparities and injustices that exist in higher education and in our community, across all dimensions of diversity. We must be champions of civic discourse, calling people to come the table to develop meaningful solutions that can effectively bring protection and peace to all members of our society. We must develop tangible and practical ways to shift the path of this country so that the killings stop, racism and discrimination of all types are is eliminated, and real dialogue and healing can begin.

The Faculty Senate reaffirms its dedication to work tirelessly to fight racism and injustice, finding ways to approach each other with respect, support non-violent protest, and use our right to vote to fight the legacy of racism and slavery that continue to economically disadvantage, sicken, and endanger members of our community.

On behalf of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee,

Ria Hearld; UAB Faculty Senate Chair, 2019-20