Public Release Statement 
by Diversity Council Staff 

Again, our country has experienced multiple acts of violence against members of marginalized communities.  

At Diversity Council, we recognize that we have been silent on these recent events as well as many of those that have happened in the past. While these acts of violence did not occur in our immediate community, the impact that is felt here is very real. We specifically want to draw attention to the murder of Black people in Tops Grocery Store in Buffalo NY, the shootings at Asian American-owned establishments in Dallas TX, the murder of Taiwanese parishioners in a Southern California church, the murder of primarily Latinx children and teachers at the Uvalde School in Texas, and the arrest of 38 white nationalists at a PRIDE event in northern Idaho. It’s no longer a question of if violence against marginalized people will happen again in this country, but a question of when. We must act with courage now to counter this reality. 

These acts of domestic and racial terrorism point to a deeper systemic issue of white supremacy that is embedded in our communities, state, and nation. Our friends, neighbors, colleagues, and families are deeply affected by the continual violence, and each and every one of us must act to correct these systemic failures. The acts of violence listed above are only a portion of those that have been committed within the last few weeks, let alone within the past year. We acknowledge that no list can be comprehensive. Our goal is to create awareness of the pervasive and endemic nature of this horrifying trend and shift to action. 

As an organization, Diversity Council exists to end social and racial injustice. In these efforts, it is incumbent upon us to identify acts of racial terrorism, to commit to active response, and extend a call for action and change on the part of others.  We will only establish a world that is truly safe for all by acting with unity and determination to address hatred and violence.  

Solidarity and conviction push us to move beyond our comfort of complacency as an organization and toward a place of courage and compassion. We commit to focus on how we can support, empower, and protect those marginalized in our society and take radical and courageous steps to build equitable communities where everyone is safe, where everyone is acknowledged and respected, and where everyone can live without fear of hate-filled violence. We affirm that when the safety of even a single member of community is compromised, the safety of all is compromised. 

If you feel distraught and helpless in response to recent acts of hate, angry and grieving over the senseless loss of human life, and compelled to action, we hope that you will utilize the resources below to first listen to the voices of those directly impacted and traumatized, take it upon yourself to learn more, and act with conviction in all ways available to you. We commit to doing the same.  

Listen, Learn, and Act. 

Diversity Council’s purpose is to grow equitable communities rooted in compassion where all facets of human identity are understood and respected, and where every individual acts conscientiously and with courage.