Dear HWCOE Community,
Along with you, I mourn the tragic loss of the life of George Floyd that occurred in Minneapolis. While this particular horrific murder was captured by video, it is not an isolated event. I have lived in this country for my entire life. Sixty-two years of time after time after time seeing people of color treated as less than full and equal citizens, as less than human. Each publicly acknowledged episode of brutality bringing a cycle of outrage, of pain, of promises to do better. And each time we go back to our homes and jobs and families, and nothing really changes. And then the cycle begins again. After years of seeing the same suffering I must confess that at times I despair that we will ever escape this horrible replay.
In spite of the temptation to give in to despair, we must sustain hope for something better. I am lifted up by Dr. King's observation that "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." Every positive step we take to break this cycle bends the arc toward justice a little bit more. Rather than accept that change is not possible, we must, finally, refuse to accept the unacceptable.
In 1981, there was only one African American faculty member in Stanford’s college of engineering, and he was my PhD advisor. I saw the many ways, some subtle and some not so, that he was treated differently. He and I often talked about the hope that someday things would change, and people of color and women would be represented and welcome in our profession. Since that time, I have been told repeatedly that engineering and computer science simply cannot be diverse because there aren't enough women and people of color interested in the field to really make an impact. To my greatest delight and admiration, our efforts are proving them wrong. Though we still have a very long way to go, I do believe that we have made progress in bringing more diversity to our community. In fact, our college is becoming an example to others that progress can be made. For all of my colleagues who have brought us to this point, you have earned my greatest respect.
Even though we are becoming a more diverse community, we still have much work to do in creating a more inclusive environment. We must chip away at the barrier of exclusion and contribute to the creation of a community where everyone, regardless of color, ethnicity, religion or gender identity, can be represented and achieve to their highest potential. As a community, we must begin by reaffirming our values and respect for human rights and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). It is through our IDEA values and respect for the human rights of all people that we can make a positive difference. The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering values a diverse and inclusive community. It is integral to success in every area of our college. As a community, we are committed to individual and group empowerment, inclusion, and the elimination of discrimination.
Our commitment must be strategic and long term. Such commitment benefits everyone and requires everyone. We are putting words into action by empowering diversity and inclusion liaisons in each department to facilitate IDEA discussions with faculty, staff, and students. The liaisons meet monthly on the HWCOE IDEA committee led by two Associate Deans, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Nishida, who serve as Campus Diversity Liaisons representatives on the University CDL team led by UF’s Chief Diversity Officer. I encourage each of you to reach out to your department IDEA liaisons to share ideas and to be heard about how to increase inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.
Around the country we are seeing expressions of frustration, fear and anger about injustice and inequity in our society. We must listen to them even though the message may be shocking or painful. Real change starts with real listening. It is tempting to lose hope in the possibility for progress, but I have seen the progress that many of you have already fostered in our college. Together we CAN bend the moral arc toward justice.
With hope,
Cammy
