Dear faculty, staff members, and students,
As members of the UWSP Hate/Bias Response team, we, too, are saddened by the death of George Floyd and the continued oppression of people of color. We hope that the increased awareness of the systemic racism in our society, and the heinous killings of people of color, brings about real change. Effective change can only happen when marginalized voices are central and where the unified goal is a safe, respectful, and inclusive community for all people.
In his statement against (systemic) racism, UWSP's Chancellor, Bernie Patterson, writes "at UW-Stevens Point, we stand with all our students, faculty and staff members, our community and our nation against racism. We respect differences and welcome diversity. We foster an inclusive environment. Standing together in the face of adversity unites us and strengthens our resolve to make the world better"
The Hate/Bias response team is one small part of working towards fostering an inclusive environment. The formation of this group, in 2018, was in response to a Student Government Association request. Our mission statement describes that we exist to collect information on hate and bias incidents affecting our campus community and to provide support for affected parties. Students can report incidents of hate or bias via a web link and receive further information and be connected with campus resources. Systemic racism is a well-entrenched problem. The documenting of hate and bias serves an important role in working to acknowledge where it exists, identify trends, and provide tangible information to help inform policy, education, and reform.
We stand in solidarity with our students, colleagues, and other community members of color who face systemic racism daily. We uphold the legitimacy of Black Lives Matter and recognize the historic importance of this movement. We believe in the right of the oppressed to protest injustice and demand equality without the threat of retaliation. We strive to exemplify these beliefs in our personal and professional lives.
Note: To reach the UWSP Hate and Bias Response Team (HBRT), please email uwsp- grp_hatebiasresponseteam@office365.uwsp.edu.
- Hate/Bias Response Team