Prince George's Community College President Denounces Hate and Violence
President's Message to College Community
The recent events in our country, including blatant attacks against Asian Americans, are appalling and deeply troubling. The racism, xenophobia, senseless violence, and breach of the fundamental precepts that govern our society are yet another reminder of the divisive times in which we live, where instances like these are all too common.
I write to affirm Prince George’s Community College’s commitment to justice, equity, and respect for self and others. The fabric of our institution was built on the principle that all people have value, regardless of their background, and deserve an opportunity to improve their outcomes.
We value the diversity within each member of our College community from across the nation and around the world. The very nature of our identity as an institution of higher education calls for us to model the behavior we seek to cultivate. Therefore, we denounce hate and violence as a threat to who we are and what we stand for.
Social activist Grace Lee Boggs said: “History is not the past. It is the stories we tell about the past. How we tell these stories - triumphantly or self-critically, metaphysically or dialectally - has a lot to do with whether we cut short or advance our evolution as human beings.”
As we prepare to usher in Diversity Week, let us commit to truth-telling and working in solidarity to build a safe, inclusive environment that seeks justice regardless of the opposition that attempts to silence our efforts and take ownership of our story.
Grief can become overwhelming, and your mental health is important. If you need someone to talk to, please contact KERPO, the College’s Employee Assistance Program provider, at 800-765-0770. Human Resources and Organizational Development is also available at 301-546-5227 to assist you with finding resources.
Falecia D. Williams, Ed.D.
President