The shooting of Jacob Blake by police, followed by the killing of two protestors in Kenosha, Wisconsin, only underscores the state of inequality that persists in American society. The DHVI will continue to affirm its stance against racial inequality and call for each of its members to actively promote social justice and change for our nation. The leadership of the DHVI stands with the leadership of the School of Medicine in denouncing senseless gun violence and police brutality against black and brown Americans.
DHVI will continue to strive to be a diverse, inclusive, and equitable institution. We will also continue to address the societal issues that affect the institute’s employees, because these societal problems will persist as long as they are ignored. Our DHVI Perspectives seminar series will continue this month on September 21st with a focus on civil rights activism. For this discussion, we will be joined by civil rights law professor Timothy Lovelace of the Duke School of Law. In closing, we reaffirm our stance that lives of marginalized groups matter, we are all more alike than we are different, and each of us has the power to create a more just and equitable society.