Request Information
George Floyd was murdered in front of the whole world. A senseless and cavalier act of a police officer, the most recent senseless murder of a black person in America. An act and symbolism that raises deep pain, brings to the surface the ugly reality of weaponized racism that has been part of American society for a long, long time. We are angry, we are grieved.
These murders are the ultimate. We are faced daily with daily encounters that demean and devalue a people, make us invisible – driving while black, picnicking while black, walking while black, riding a bicycle while black, bird watching while black. On the systemic level we are faced with inferior school systems, housing discrimination, drinking – yes, drinking water poisoning, environmental racism and a criminal justice system that reflects the racist legacy of this country. The anger has been building.
I am a black man, the father of five now adult children, two women, three men and grandfather of six. One of my grandsons is a sixteen year old 6’2’’ prime target for bigoted police. My wife and I fear for their very lives. We have had to train, like other black parents, our precious ones in the ways of “coming home”. We too are severely angry!
We all know the theme song of the civil rights struggle, a song whose history I respect in the way it connects to the legacy of the struggle for civil rights. The song is “We Shall Overcome”. However, I ask the question, when is “Someday”? Is it an urgent call or do we keep “Someday” at a comfortable distance while basking in the luxury of ignorance? Well, no more! What role do I have, do you, do we have in making someday a reality?
I believe that we should not be asking the question, “Where is God”? If we were to be honest, God is asking, “Where are you!” Where are you! What are you and I going to commit to doing to end both individual and systemic racism that destroys lives, debilitates families, destroys communities, devalues an entire people?
Presently and in the coming days we will commence a series to include:
As individuals and as a community we are to be involved in urgent and consequential action. I look forward to us standing up and be counted in the struggle for justice in the tradition of Moses, of Esther, of Tecumseh, of Harriet, of Douglas, of Martin, of Chavez.
Robert Benjamin
Assistant Vice President for Multicultural Affairs and Dean of Students
We are pleased to share the complete schedule for the 2023 John U. Free Seminar Series. Students, Faculty, and Staff will receive an email notification on the Thursday before each event. Alumni and other interested individuals may use the form below to sign up for...
Eastern Nazarene College invites all alumni to mark their calendars for the revised dates for the homecoming celebration inclusive of Sept. 28–Oct. 1, 2023. In January, Eastern Nazarene College announced that it accepted an invitation to join the North Atlantic...
The Dr. John U. Free Seminar Series is back for 2023! One of the great things about being part of a Christian college community is the opportunity it affords to expand our intellectual horizons and pursue together a greater understanding of truth in the world God has...
From the Dean of the College: For much of the past year, the faculty and administration of Eastern Nazarene College have been engaged in discussions about how to optimize our portfolio of academic programs. In many ways, this is a normal part of what healthy academic...
