Dear members of the Sacred Heart community,
I hope you are all safe and healthy. You are missed, and I look forward to being together soon—albeit separated by six feet or more.
I am writing today because some of the recent happenings in this country have left me disturbed and heartbroken, and I am guessing that many of you are feeling the same way. I am thinking particularly of the recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, along with other incidents such as the Central Park dispute between Amy Cooper and Christian Cooper that began over leashing a dog and ended with a hysterical phone call to 9-1-1.
It is difficult to be so separated at a time when current events are having such a tremendous impact on the way we are feeling about ourselves, law enforcement, our country and its leadership. Under normal circumstances, we would be having conversations about these events. We would gather in our common spaces to discuss our feelings. We would remind ourselves of our mission and our commitment to those who are marginalized in our society. We might gather in the chapel in memory of the lives senselessly lost. There would surely be a colloquium or two planned to help us express our feelings about the injustices taking place seemingly on a daily basis, such as our Heart Challenges Hate series from the past two years. We would talk not only about the senseless killings of black men and women, but also about the way the coronavirus has laid bare the inequities between blacks and whites. Black Americans have contracted and died of COVID-19 at disproportionate rates both because of their current lack of access to health care and previous lack of access that led to underlying conditions that make them more susceptible to the disease. In addition, blacks and other minorities have not been tested at the same rate as whites. One would hope that in a time like this when our world has turned upside down that we would draw closer, reach out to one another (virtually, of course) and help those who are worse off than ourselves. But that has not always been the case.
I am outraged and sickened by these deaths, by these statistics and by the injustices that continue to be prevalent in our society. And I know if I am feeling this way, then many of you are feeling it in an even stronger and more personal way. Some of you may even be fearful for your lives.
I want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I hope you have people to whom you can reach out to share your feelings and fears. For faculty and staff, please know that our EAP program is available to you. For students, I encourage you to talk with your family and friends. All members of the community are also welcome to reach out to campus ministry for support.
At Sacred Heart, we do not tolerate racism, bullying or violence of any kind. We believe the dignity of every human being is inviolable and the commitment to justice for the common good is necessary. We pride ourselves on being a place where ideas are exchanged respectfully. Sadly, that safety does not exist everywhere. We must continue to work together to bring light into the world and erase injustice.
Please be well.
John J. Petillo, Ph.D.
President
