The Black Lives Matter movement has recently received nation-wide attention, sparked by the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Although police brutality and the abuse of power by police officers has been an ongoing issue–particularly within diverse communities of color–the movement has become a national debate and is slowly transforming into a revolution. 

Across the country, people of all races and backgrounds are coming together to stand against the police and protest the unjust treatment of people of color. For eight nights, Santa Rosa community members protested and took over the streets, even stopping traffic to ensure that their message was heard. Murals and artwork were displayed throughout the town, and locals performed inspiring demonstrations. 

Within our own community at Sonoma State University, students, faculty, and staff are also taking part in the movement. Two students from SSU took it upon themselves to organize a Black Lives Matter protest on campus, and there was a big turnout. Vice Presidents from the cabinet, the inner Police Chief on campus, deans, and many more staff and faculty members participated. 

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at SSU is “facilitating discussions across divisions and offices about why black lives matter, how to have critical dialogue across differences, and about coordinating an anti-bias training program,” Chief of Staff to the President, Dr. Jerlena Griffin, and the Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Karen Moranski, explained. They also say that Academic Affairs sent out a Call to Action after the death of George Floyd to declare a collective commitment to act against racism, and to offer resources through the Center for Community Engagement so that faculty and instructors have access to grant-funded support in anti-racist curriculum work. 

 Dr. Griffin and Dr. Moranski “see these efforts as intrinsic to keeping up the momentum and really embedding anti-racism in our campus culture as an inherent characteristic of a Sonoma State education.”

In the past, Sonoma State hasn’t had the best representation within the Black community. “We recognize that it has been a challenge to attract Black students to SSU in numbers that can positively contribute to a welcoming critical mass for Black students,” said Dr. Griffin and Dr. Moranski. 

But, Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Gregory Sawyer, says that this has recently changed with the hiring of President Judy Sakaki–who has encouraged faculty and staff to view their work through a more inclusive lens–and her creation of an Office of Diversity on campus. 

He also says that administration is making more of an effort lately to reach out and welcome Black students to Sonoma State. Many recent curricular changes are designed to attract more Black students to SSU’s academic programs, and SSU administration is working to provide new academic programs that would prove attractive across the state. SSU has also increased the diversity of faculty and staff in hopes of attracting more students from underrepresented communities.

Dr. Sawyer said that President Sakaki “really wants the numbers to be different” and “everyone to feel welcome at SSU.” He said he even came out of retirement in 2017 because of Sakaki’s motivated work to make the SSU community more diverse. “We should be proud of President Sakaki, she is breaking barriers.” 

During uncertain times, it is reassuring that the SSU community is working diligently to promote diversity among students and faculty alike, and to make sure that all students feel safe and welcome on our campus.