Dear AUC Community,
We have all seen the news and social media posts concerning protests around the United States in response to the senseless deaths of black American citizens during encounters with law enforcement, most recently Mr. George Floyd in Minneapolis.
These are distressing times for everyone, but especially so for those directly affected and others who identify closely with them. This includes not only those whose lives were tragically lost, but also their families and anyone who considers themselves a brother, sister, or friend by virtue of a shared race, ethnicity, or experience.
As stated by Lisa Wardell, Chairman and CEO of AUC’s parent company, Adtalem Global Education, now more than ever we must do our part to support diversity and inclusion and to stand for social justice. I encourage you to read her message, which can be found here. AUC stands with Adtalem in condemning racial injustice and bigoted violence.
What we have witnessed over the last few days is only the latest episode in our country’s dark history of oppression, prejudice, and bigotry. Members of our communities are looking at society and all the systems and structures supposedly in place to support and protect them, and asking, do our lives matter?
To everyone in our AUC community who is asking this question, we say, your life matters. Your hopes and fears matter. Your safety matters. Your call for justice matters. We hear you and grieve with you.
Sincerely,
Heidi Chumley, MD, MBA
Provost
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
