My dear community,
As President McCartney notes, yesterday's verdicts were indeed acts of justice. They represent greater accountability and what we hope will be continued movement towards greater justice.
They are important verdicts. I hope that they can bring even a small measure of solace to Mr. Floyd’s family and loved ones.
It is so important to acknowledge these acts of justice and the advocacy and labor of so many who helped to make them happen. And we do so, knowing that as the Chauvin verdict was being delivered, another person, Ma’Khia Bryant, died at the hands of law enforcement.
These are the moments when our being spread across the country is hard because we cannot be in person to offer support to each other. But so many of you have created loving networks with each other. Please reach out to get the support you need. Please take care of yourselves and each other.
I believe in President McCartney’s call to activate “critical hope for a more just future.” As social workers we are called to work for social and racial justice and our efforts, both big and small, to advocate and fight for change are in pursuit of a more just future. It is possible. We will work to make it happen.
With hope,
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
