President Donna Carroll Responds to Weekend Violence

In the wake of incidents of violence and looting in Chicago and suburbs during the weekend of May 29-31 in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, President Donna Carroll issued the following statement to the Dominican University community. [Image from Block Club Chicago]

Today our hearts are heavy. We are angry, horrified, frightened — and, yes, feeling a collective sense of remorse for what Dominican Provost and theologian Jeff Carlson recently described as “an epic failure of Christians to love.”

The senseless and savage killing of George Floyd by police on a street in Minnesota has unleashed an outpouring of humanity demanding reform.  As a Dominican community, we stand in solidarity with those challenging racial injustice through peaceful protest. And, though the rage and desperation are justified, we condemn the violent acts of those using the moment to further division and suffering.

Last month, in response to the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, members of the University’s Climate, Equity and Inclusion Committee met to revise and further strengthen Dominican’s Sanctuary Campus Covenant — to restate firmly our commitment to be a place of welcome for the most vulnerable among us, and particularly those experiencing systemic injustices. I write to share that statement with you today.

This moment is a reminder — and a challenge, that, as Dominicans, we are called to participate in the creation of a more just and humane world.  There is no more important work.  Now. Together.