To our School for Social Work Community,
Over the past day we have been learning more about the horrific massacre that took place at a gay nightclub in Orlando. This atrocity and a thwarted attack on LA Pride were both directed toward the LGBTQ communities during Pride month signaling their clear homophobic and transphobic intent. As well, it has fed anti-muslim and islamophobic rhetoric and ideas. Add to this, it was Latin music night with many young people at the club. All around it is a very tragic event that will continue to have multilayered impact.
We want to acknowledge the impact of this act of hate on us as individuals and a community. The Associate Deans and E4 will be meeting on Monday June 13th at 8:00 am in Lilly Hall 2nd floor conference room to begin discussing and planning how we as a community would like to respond. We need to come together to support each other. Let’s speak up against hate. Let’s also find our way to speak up for love - for each other and for our communities.
This meeting is open to all who would like to join in planning how we can respond as a community. I am working in NYC through the early part of this week but will be checking in frequently throughout the process. I will return on Wednesday.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or other comments, please do not hesitate to email The Feedback Loop. The Associate Deans and I each have access to messages posted to this site and it’s the fastest way for us to share information. Students are encouraged as well to connect with student leaders, our Sotomayor Fellow, Mamta Dadlani, and spiritual consultant, Rhonda Shapiro Reiser.
Remember as well to take care of ourselves and each other. This may be a good time to make use of wellness services as well as to connect with our own supports.
In peace and love,
Dean Yoshioka
Marianne RM Yoshioka, PhD, MSW
Dean and Elizabeth Marting Treuhaft Professor
Smith College School for Social Work
