Dear Moore community:
In the aftermath of the Derek Chauvin trial and today’s verdict, it is important to recognize the deluge of emotions flooding through communities throughout the nation, including our own campus. Grief, anguish and unbearable pain have been at the forefront for many as we’ve relived the senseless tragedy of George Floyd’s death, against a backdrop of nonstop news about gun violence and the ongoing pandemic. It is a difficult time, especially for those who see themselves or people they love in the faces of Floyd and other victims of police brutality.
As a College, and as a community of citizens, we stand in unwavering solidarity with people throughout our country who have been victimized because of their race. While the systemic realities of our society mean that many of us will never truly understand the horror of losing a life to this kind of violence, we recognize the trauma experienced by Black Americans in this moment and many others like it. We pledge to our Black students, faculty, staff, alumni, board members, colleagues and friends in the Moore community: We still believe that Black Lives Matter. At Moore College of Art & Design, we value diversity and inclusion, and acts of bias or racism will never be tolerated.
Once again, we invite our faculty to take time in upcoming classes to respectfully acknowledge personal responses to the trial and its outcome, and to create time and space for important conversations around these issues.
For those who wish to speak with someone about feelings of emotional distress or anxiety due to the trial or other recent news and events, the following resources are available:
Mental Health Counselor appointments (for students only), available Monday through Friday
Guardian Insurance’s Confidential Employee Assistance Program (for Moore employees)
In addition, the City of Philadelphia will host six virtual community healing circles over the next three weeks to provide safe spaces for residents to share their feelings and find support from neighbors. The first session was on Monday, April 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm; visit the Community Healing Circles page to sign up. The City has also provided mental and behavioral health resources at healthymindsphilly.org or 888-545-2600.
We expect that there will be public demonstrations in Philadelphia in the days ahead. Please be safe and look out for yourself and others as needed.
Most sincerely,
Cecelia Fitzgibbon
