Day of Enlightenment
We call our community together to commemorate May 25th as the day the world raised our collective voices to stand up for what is right—Black Lives Matter. On this day we recognize we have much more work to do. Let’s continue growing, learning, and standing up for what is right and just in our society, and on our campus.
“On May 25, 2020, a crowd of bystanders, and later the entire nation, watched in horror as George Floyd’s life was taken. Today, on the one-year anniversary of his murder, we still grieve for Mr. Floyd and yearn for a nation where these and other senseless acts are no longer common. While we are heartened by recent progress, including the conviction of the police officer responsible for Mr. Floyd’s death, this anniversary is a reminder of the very real and multi-generational cost of injustice and the work that remains to fight it. This is a particularly painful day for many members of the Black community and for those who knew and loved Mr. Floyd. Our thoughts are with his family today. We also stand in solidarity with all those experiencing the impact of racism, and we must continue to advocate for urgent and meaningful change.
Last summer, we announced a comprehensive plan to promote a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable CMU, and are encouraged by the progress that has been made across the university. Each and every member of the Carnegie Mellon community has a role to play in this critical effort. I continue to find hope in our shared humanity, and I look forward to working towards peace and justice in our nation and enacting lasting change.”
— Farnam Jahanian, President, Carnegie Mellon University