We are saddened and outraged by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. These are but the most recent examples of extreme injustice due to systemic racism in the United States. Racism has been deeply embedded in America from before its founding and still exists in nearly every community and institution in the country. Therefore, we stand alongside those calling for reforms, and express to our Black students, colleagues, and fellow community members that we hear their voices in this painful time.
We also acknowledge the work ahead of us here at TCNJ to address racism. Our campus has been scarred by racist actions in the last two academic years, and has been grappling with its past as well, as evidenced by the renaming of Trenton Hall. Recognizing our own personal involvement in political and economic systems which perpetuate and institutionalize racism and injustice is just the first step in this process, but important nonetheless.
One of the goals of political science is to produce evidence-based contributions to the reformation of political institutions and the general political conversation. We look forward to continue teaching and learning about these important issues with you in the coming weeks and months.
In solidarity,
The Department of Political Science