Please see below the statement from UNE School of Social Work on the Riot at the Capital
To our School Community,
Yesterday’s events impacted all of us, provoking complex and strong emotions. It was frightening to witness the invasion of the Capitol, the failures of security, and the blatant disregard for life, law, and property. In the end, and despite inherent dangers, Congress succeeded in confirming the legitimate election results, assuring the nation that we are moving forward unthwarted by efforts of rioters to instigate insurrection.
We echo UNE President James Herbert’s statement that he “could not help but notice the contrast in the way law enforcement responded to this almost exclusively White crowd relative to the response to protests led by Black and Brown citizens earlier this year. That contrast alone stands as a stark rebuke to any claim that race no longer matters in America.”
Though disturbing, such actions further reinforce the School’s commitment to social justice/action, antiracism, and concerted efforts to listen and understand diverse perspectives. There will undoubtedly be ripple effects of these previously unimaginable violent acts on democracy as the country moves towards the presidential transition of power. We must meet these challenges and the inevitable anger, pain, and uncertainties they activate by embodying the social work values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence with unwavering dedication to building a better more just future.
With hope,
Shelley Cohen Konrad, School Director
Cyndi Amato, BSW Program Director
Jennifer O’Neil, MSWO Program Director
Featured image by Ted Eyton