Black Lives Matter Statement

June 9, 2020

A letter to the Spartan Community from the 51st Session RHA Executive Board is shown below. Click for the official copy.

 

Dear Fellow Spartans,

Over the past few weeks, we here at RHA have felt a wide variety of emotions. The death of George Floyd is a reminder that grave injustice continues in America and our communities. Another name has now been added to the long list of African American community members that have suffered similar fates. We now see people standing up against the system that allowed these brutal acts of violence.

The events of the last week have shown us again the flaws in the American system. A system that allows any group of people to be marginalized and brutally murdered in their communities is not a system that RHA will stand alongside. We will continue to advocate for the black community on every level available to us, as we see that a change is desperately needed. We can never forget George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, and many more like them. We must try to prevent the pain that was felt by their families by advocating against the actions taken by local law enforcement.

We live in a country that promises us all a system that is fair and just. However, we have seen time and time again that justice is not provided to all. We have a responsibility to make sure that promise is achieved.

Every student has the right to make sure that their voice is heard. If a student plans on advocating for the black community through peaceful protest, we hope you do so safely and respectfully. RHA asks that you remember that we are still in a health pandemic, and take the proper precautions when advocating for justice.

Another way to make sure that your voice is heard is to vote in the upcoming elections. This includes participating in your local and statewide elections. We share a duty to be informed on the individuals we choose to represent ourselves in our community as well as the world. Primary Elections are scheduled for August 4th, 2020 and the General Elction will be occurring on November 3rd, 2020. The first step in utilizing this tool for change is to make sure that you are registered to vote:

(For those who are from other states, we encourage you to register for election and make your voices heard) 

The Black Lives Matter movement that has taken hold around the country has the potential to make real and effective change. As individuals, we have the opportunity to help better the environment around us by advocating and supporting communities in pain right in our city. 

RHA will always empower, advocate, and stand alongside the African American community.  This year alone, the MSU Black Community has experienced a string of racially motivated bias incidents, which is a reminder that these issues are also prevalent in our community. We must remember that each of us holds power to have a meaningful effect on a person or to come together and fight for significant, complicated, and consequential issues such as systemic racism.