Statement of Solidarity

From Harvard-wide COVID-19 Student Initiatives:

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it felt like the world stopped. But racism did not - in fact, racial disparities have widened. Black individuals are contracting and dying from SARS-CoV-2 at more than twice the rate of non-Black populations. Black business owners’ revenues have fallen 40%, since February, more than any other racial group - and black businesses are less likely to get coronavirus relief loans. On top of all this, Black Americans are consistently the victims of treatment disparities - in our law enforcement, justice and healthcare systems.

Enough is enough. We stand in solidarity with the Black Community, who have once again being subjected to needless pain and suffering. We grieve the senseless killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many more. We commit to using our voices to fight against historic and systemic oppressions of Black Communities. And we call on our peers, who are in a place of privilege, to leverage their power and stand up for Black people across the nation.

We join the numerous voices of activists, organizations, congregations, corporations, universities and societies that speak to, and for, dignity, fairness, and freedom.

Black lives matter. Black communities matter.