Dear CSN Family,
Today I join CSN students, faculty and staff whose calls for justice were answered. Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer, was found guilty of the murder of Mr. George Floyd by a jury of his peers.
While today’s verdict cannot bring Mr. Floyd back, I hope this is a turning point in our collective pursuit of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, especially for our Black students, faculty, and staff who may feel marginalized and disenfranchised by the emotions triggered by this case.
This disturbing case — and far too many others like it — has brought to light serious inequities in our nation, sparking a yearlong series of protests and giving energy to the Black Lives Matter movement that seeks to end racially motivated violence against Black people.
At CSN, we are a community of compassion and empathy and we strive to be a beacon of hope, a pathway to prosperity for our students and residents. I pray that today’s verdict will help our country heal. Let us not live through this historic moment without affirming our commitment to a more equitable and just world.
Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada