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A Message about Tyre Nichols

Content warning: Discussions of death, violence, and police brutality.

Friends,

As our nation mourns the senseless murder of Tyre Nichols, we as a community and a country are once again faced with the culture of violence and oppression that is systemically perpetrated against Black communities.

With his death, Tyre Nichols’ name has been added to the already too-long list of names that we must say. We say these names to remember the victims of police brutality, to honor their humanity, and to condemn the violence that robbed their families and communities of them. To allow names like Tyre Nichols’ to pass into obscurity or to look away from the consequences of our nation’s historical and present disregard for Black life is unacceptable.

We recognize that these names and events provoke feelings of grief, anger, fear, and sadness, all of which are understandable and all of which are most keenly felt by our Black siblings and community members. You may experience vicarious trauma from the many impacts of police brutality, including the dissemination of images and videos of violence.

We all have a part to play in the work of holding the system accountable, speaking out against anti-Blackness in our communities, and reaffirming the intrinsic value of Black lives. Our commitment to creating a world in which Black Americans can live healthy, safe lives, free from the disproportionate impacts of police violence reflects our values around health leadership and community.

Please know that the Salem community is here to support you and that Counseling Services in particular has many resources available for students, faculty, and staff that need space to be seen and heard in this moment.

Counseling Services will be holding one such space to talk for college students, faculty, and staff to share their feelings concerning the events that led to Tyre Nichols’ death. This gathering will be held on Wednesday, February 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Huber Theater.

If you are a college student and you need to schedule a time to speak with a licensed counselor individually, please email Counseling.Services@Salem.com. Our Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Aminah Bradford, is also available to speak with any member of our community and can be reached at Aminah.Bradford@Salem.edu. Rev. Bradford will share an additional message of care and support later today and will host a Vigil of Lament in the Student Center Plaza on Thursday, February 2nd from 12:20 p.m to 12:35 p.m. Please see the end of this message for an additional list of resources.

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