My dear community,
I write today to echo President McCartney’s strong statement in support of our democratic process and of truth. Yesterday’s events in DC were a vivid illustration of the way that whiteness functions in our society, differentially protecting and harming based on race.
As the President wrote in her message, “As an institution of higher education, Smith College will continue to stand for truth, including scientific truth; we will continue to uphold the democratic process, especially the sanctity of elections; and we will continue to condemn violence, hatred and division as well as those who espouse these views.”
We are sending this message of care and concern to all who are most impacted by these actions. We hope that our students, alumni, colleagues, family members, friends and communities in the DC area are safe. I hold hope that our days ahead will bring greater justice and peace for us all.
Sincerely,
Marianne RM Yoshioka, MBA, Ph.D., LCSW
Dean and Elizabeth Marting Treuhaft Professor
Co-editor, Smith College Studies in Social Work
Smith College School for Social Work
