Statement of Solidarity

The Department of History & Political Science condemns the senseless killing of unarmed Black men and women. We honor the memories of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, and the many others who have lost their lives through officer-related shootings or extrajudicial violence. We affirm that Black Lives Matter and acknowledge the dignity of every human life. As scholars of history, political science, and international relations, we also recognize the important role of protest in democracy and we stand in solidarity with all those who fight injustice and seek peace. 

In our majors, we train future educators, historians, lawyers, law enforcement officers, and public servants; we thus acknowledge the importance and urgency of conversations about race, violence, and democracy in and beyond the classroom. We thus pledge to initiate a coordinated program of activities and events in the 2020-2021 academic year to address problems of systemic racism in historical context and with an eye toward policy solutions.

In solidarity,

Gitty Amini, Ph.D.

Allyson Brantley, Ph.D.

Richard Gelm, Ph.D.

Kristin Howland, B.A.

Benjamin Jenkins, Ph.D.

Kenneth Marcus, Ph.D.

Julio Minoves-Triquell, Ph.D.

Jason Neidleman, Ph.D.