The recent, horrific shootings at Tops Supermarket in the City of Buffalo and at the Taiwanese American church in California had a tremendous impact on our nation and locally at Lansing Community College. We are deeply disturbed by these racially motivated crimes.

We grieve with the families who have lost loved ones by these violent acts, loved ones who were the glue of their families, served as resources for communities, and demonstrated through their daily lives a sense of resilience and advocacy for others.

We recognize our interconnectedness regardless of background, race, age, creed, sexual orientation, gender, religion, abilities and all other forms of difference. We stand in solidarity with the Black and Taiwanese communities and other marginalized groups that are violently impacted by hatred and radicalized behavior. To the faculty, staff and students with ties to these communities and who are traumatized by these recent senseless acts of racism, we boldly say that hatred has no place on our campus or in our community.

We invite our campus and surrounding communities to stand with us as we continue to advocate for those who are constantly and unjustly targeted in senseless acts of hatred. We encourage our community to engage in the "We're Better Than THAT" initiatives and be a part of the numerous efforts at LCC to address inequalities and discrimination.

We know that the impact of the recent shootings may have caused members of our community to grieve or experience a traumatic reaction. We want you to know that we see you, and your mental health matters. Therefore, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will hold Courageous Conversations and a Virtual Healing Space opportunity for our community to dialogue, unpack, listen, learn and simply just breathe together.

As an educational community, we must continue to demonstrate our commitment to justice through individual and collective action. It’s on each of us to hold one another accountable and to go beyond being an ally to become an accomplice, such that we right the wrongs of our society through intentional efforts of equity.

To our Black and Taiwanese students and employees, in particular, our hearts grieve with you over these tragic events. Racism is a global issue. As such, it will take all of us to address it. We know there is strength in our connectedness, and that racist acts will never prevail when we stand together as one.

In solidarity,

 

About Lansing Community College

Lansing Community College, founded in 1957, is one of the largest community colleges in Michigan, serving more than 14,500 students across a six-county area each year. LCC offers courses in general education for those interested in transferring to a four-year institution, career and workforce development, developmental education and personal enrichment. To meet the professional development and training needs of regional employees, the college offers customized programs for credit, non-credit and continuing education. The Transfer Center at LCC offers students the opportunity to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from five partner universities on the downtown LCC campus. For more information, visit lcc.edu.

Lansing Community College provides equal opportunity for all persons and prohibits discriminatory practices based on race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, creed, ancestry, height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, familial status, marital status, military status, veteran’s status, or other status as protected by law, or genetic information that is unrelated to the person’s ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position or participate in educational programs, courses, services or activities offered by the College.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Equal Opportunity Officer, Washington Court Place, 309 N. Washington Square Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1730; Employee Coordinator 504/ADA, Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1875; Student Coordinator 504/ADA, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1885; Human Resource Manager/Employee Title IX Coordinator, Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1879; Student Title IX Coordinator, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-9632.