By KARIN KAPSIDELIS Richmond Times-Dispatch | Posted 15 hours ago
The presidents of Virginia State and Norfolk State universities have joined with the leaders of 32 other historically black colleges and universities in a pledge to organize a symposium on gun violence.
Saying they are brokenhearted over the recent shootings in Baton Rouge, La.; suburban St. Paul, Minn.; and Dallas that “have shaken our nation to its core,” the presidents said they are committed to raising awareness about “the debilitating impact of trauma on the lives of those who have been exposed to loss as a result of gun violence.”
HBCUs are uniquely suited to address these issues, they said, as “the birthplace of the idea that Black lives matter to our country.”
Their statement, titled “A Call for Peace and Unity,” included no details on when or where the first-ever HBCU National Symposium on Gun Violence would be held.
VSU’s Makola M. Abdullah and NSU’s Eddie N. Moore Jr., presidents of the state’s two public HBCUs, signed the statement.
Abdullah said Thursday he did not have further details on the plans.
“I thought it was important in this time of unprecedented violence that we continue to be a part of the solution to the challenges that impact our communities,” Abdullah said in an email. “I was concerned what would happen if we did not enter the conversation.”
As an HBCU, he said, VSU “has been committed to solutions for 134 years. It is great to stand with other institutions of like mission.”
Joseph F. Johnson, Virginia Union University’s acting president, said he supports the effort and will welcome the opportunity to add his institution’s “voice of support” as the initial effort is expanded to include all HBCUs.
“We must be reminded, more often (than not) what affects one of us affects all of us in our efforts to propel this country forward,” he said in a statement.
The statement from the group of presidents said that HBCUs “by virtue of their special place in this nation have always understood the hard work and sacrifices that must be made in order for America to live up to its ideals.”
The presidents said their schools always have had “a duality of collaboration and protest” in their mission and invited all Americans to join their effort.
“We are a society where, despite what many would lead you to believe, that which binds us to each other is far greater than anything that seeks to divide us,” they said.
kkapsidelis@timesdispatch.com
(804) 649-6119
Photo: Makola M. Abdullah speaks after being introduced as Virginia State University's 14th president Friday, December 11, 2015. His wife at right, Ahkinyala Abdullah, their son Mikaili, and daughter Sefiyetu joined him.
Posted By: How May I Help You NC
Friday, July 22nd 2016 at 1:51PM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
