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Like many of you, we watched in horror as a mob was allowed to descend upon the Capitol. Had these individuals been Black or Brown, they would not have been permitted to breach the nation’s capitol. Indeed, we need not look further than the contrast between what we witnessed this week and the use of force during the Black Lives Matter protests earlier in 2020 for proof. We are appalled by the right-wing extremism, domestic terror, and violence that culminated this week in disrupting the democratic process.
We join the campus community, country, and world in condemning these unacceptable acts. For those of us who come from countries where sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of government occurs, it is both triggering and a real warning about the frailty of our democracy. Despite the attempts of those who sought to destroy the foundations of our democracy, the Constitution and the rule of law prevailed this week. To ensure that they continue to do so, we must all do our part.
At the D-Lab, we value inclusivity, civic engagement, public service, critical thought, and empiricism. That this riot was incited by the sitting President spreading falsehoods about the legitimacy of a democratic election reminds us of the importance of our values. We reaffirm our commitment to support our community and strive to embody the spirit of an informed, engaged, and active citizenry, inclusive of those who are documented or not.
To that end, we return from the winter break and re-open our doors, eager to support each other in education, vital research, and special projects that serve the local community and improve our world.
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