August 2020
As the Multicultural Greek Council at the University of Michigan, we condemn all acts of violence and brutality against Black Americans and minority communities. We condemn all forms of racism, prejudice, and discrimination on campus and worldwide. In light of recent events, we would like to affirm and offer our deepest condolences to the family members, friends, and loved ones of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and all lives that were lost at the hands of police brutality. The news of these events has caused immense distress in our community and communities across the nation which has sparked a drive to end the long-term silence and oppression against the Black community. As many things are losing traction in the press, we want to remind you that the Black Lives Matter movement is not a trend. It is a reminder to evaluate your internalized biases, actively work to overcome them, and practice anti-racism every day, in every conversation, and in every space. For these reasons, the Multicultural Greek Council stands in complete solidarity with the Black community and those fighting the fight against racism and oppression in this country.
As a council, we are committed to calling out racism when we see it and continue to have those tough conversations because we recognize that by doing so, we can create the change necessary for a safer community both on and off campus. We are also committed to supporting the Black members within the Multicultural Greek Council, and working to ensure that their experiences within our community are safe, affirmed, and valued. We urge members of the University of Michigan community to use the platform(s) that you hold to amplify the voices of those who are racially silenced. We stand with you as we continue to educate ourselves on the history and experiences of Black and minority communities and use this knowledge in an anti-racist framework to fight the injustices in our community. In reality, there is no real freedom until we are all equal.
The members of our council demand justice for those whose lives were unjustly taken and we reaffirm our stance in the fight with our allies to create a safe space for all to voice any questions, comments, or concerns in regards to these tragic events. We once again would like to reiterate that the Black Lives Matter movement is not a trend. Let us stand united and continue to fight the fight, together.