The Inclusion & Dialogue Center Addresses the Trial of Derek Chauvin

Posted by Billy Chandler

Dear Emory & Henry Community:

Today we find ourselves in a very difficult place. For many people the trail of Derek Chauvin will be a place of racial reckoning. The national and international actions that are being take as we prepare for the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with the murder of George Floyd, is destined to change the world once again, just as the death of George Floyd did a year ago.

We must recognize that the verdict of this very public trial may evoke strong, difficult and often unintended emotions for many members of our community. As we await this critical decision, we do so on the heels of the recent murder of Daunte Wright by a police officer in Brooklyn Center, MN. Even closer to home in Knoxville Tennessee at Austin East High School, Anthony Thompson was killed in a shooting involving KPD Officer, Adam Wilson and others.

The outcome of the Chauvin case may elicit different responses from different people based on our lived experiences. Despite this, the matter of the death of George Floyd and many others is centered around the question of whether or not all Black Lives Matter. While we wait on this life altering decision, as a community we can adopt the posture of faith, hope, and love, with the greatest of these being love.

During this time of racial reckoning, we want to emphasize the importance of finding and showing support for everyone during this very emotional time. Together, we can find ways to support one another in the spirit of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Emory & Henry College has made the commitment to be a campus that is affirming to all and committed to racial and social justice.

As part of this commitment, let us use the Inclusion & Dialogue Center as a place where we can talk about the Chauvin trail and other very difficult topics in a safe non-threatening environment. The Inclusion & Dialogue Center offers a brave place to talk about ways to actively address anti-racism and other forms of discrimination, hate bias, and violence as well as Anti-Asian hate, Asian American and Pacific Islander bias, LGBTQAI+ hate and other inclusion and belonging challenges. We must work together with a sense of urgency and intentionality to address the social ills that plague our nation and our world.

Please join us as we continue to do the collaborative work that will be beneficial to us all. Thank you for your willingness to join together to address these very difficult challenges as we remember that two is better than one…

Many thanks,

Rev. Sharon L. Bowers

Director of the Intention & Dialogue Center

Image from Teen Vogue

More News

  • <div class="lw_news_image"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/1854-the-office-of-diversity-equity-inclusion"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,700,840/9867_2500.rev.1621974265.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,700,840/9867_2500.rev.1621974265.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,700,840/9867_2500.rev.1621974265.jpg" alt="George Floyd art" width="345" height="225" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,700,840/9867_2500.rev.1621974265.jpg 2x" data-max-w="700" data-max-h="840" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a></span></div><div class="lw_widget_text"><h4 class="lw_news_headline"><a href="/live/news/1854-the-office-of-diversity-equity-inclusion">The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Reflects on the Anniversary of the Death of George Floyd</a></h4><div class="lw_news_summary"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today marks the anniversary of the death of George Floyd who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis. We have witnessed a year of sustained political unrest as Mr. Floyd’s death brought international attention and global protest against police brutality.</span> <a href="/live/news/1854-the-office-of-diversity-equity-inclusion" class="link-with-arrow gold">Keep reading</a></div></div>
  • <div class="lw_news_image"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/1296-emory-henry-college-recognized-as-a-college-of"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/298,0,1797,1500/8278_2020_CoD_badges.rev.1591364491.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/298,0,1797,1500/8278_2020_CoD_badges.rev.1591364491.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/298,0,1797,1500/8278_2020_CoD_badges.rev.1591364491.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/298,0,1797,1500/8278_2020_CoD_badges.rev.1591364491.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/298,0,1797,1500/8278_2020_CoD_badges.rev.1591364491.jpg" alt="Emory & Henry College Recognized as a College of Distinction" width="345" height="225" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/298,0,1797,1500/8278_2020_CoD_badges.rev.1591364491.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/298,0,1797,1500/8278_2020_CoD_badges.rev.1591364491.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1499" data-max-h="1500" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a></span></div><div class="lw_widget_text"><h4 class="lw_news_headline"><a href="/live/news/1296-emory-henry-college-recognized-as-a-college-of">Emory & Henry College Recognized as a College of Distinction</a></h4><div class="lw_news_summary"> The Colleges of Distinction recognition promotes engagement over prestige. <a href="/live/news/1296-emory-henry-college-recognized-as-a-college-of" class="link-with-arrow gold">Keep reading</a></div></div>
  • <div class="lw_news_image"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/1857-the-office-of-diversity-equity-inclusion"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,259,194/9873_download_13.rev.1622589223.webp 1x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,259,194/9873_download_13.rev.1622589223.jpg 1x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,259,194/9873_download_13.rev.1622589223.jpg" alt="LGBTQ+ Flag" width="345" height="225" data-max-w="259" data-max-h="194" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a></span></div><div class="lw_widget_text"><h4 class="lw_news_headline"><a href="/live/news/1857-the-office-of-diversity-equity-inclusion">The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commemorates Pride Month</a></h4><div class="lw_news_summary"> Happy Pride, Y’all!<br/><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br/>The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion wants to wish our LGBTQ+ friends and family a Happy Pride! We stand in solidarity and affirm our commitment to with the Queer community and affirm that gay and trans rights are human rights. During the month of June and all subsequent months we encourage our gay sisters, brothers & siblings to “be who you be!”</span> <a href="/live/news/1857-the-office-of-diversity-equity-inclusion" class="link-with-arrow gold">Keep reading</a></div></div>
  • <div class="lw_news_image"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/1345-emory-henry-ushers-in-new-academic-year-with"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,1800/8459_50200549542_74a8c92faf_o.rev.1597852029.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,1800/8459_50200549542_74a8c92faf_o.rev.1597852029.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,1800/8459_50200549542_74a8c92faf_o.rev.1597852029.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,1800/8459_50200549542_74a8c92faf_o.rev.1597852029.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,1800/8459_50200549542_74a8c92faf_o.rev.1597852029.jpg" alt="Emory & Henry campus" width="345" height="225" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,1800/8459_50200549542_74a8c92faf_o.rev.1597852029.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,1800/8459_50200549542_74a8c92faf_o.rev.1597852029.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="1800" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a></span></div><div class="lw_widget_text"><h4 class="lw_news_headline"><a href="/live/news/1345-emory-henry-ushers-in-new-academic-year-with">Emory & Henry ushers in new academic year with focus on inclusion</a></h4><div class="lw_news_summary"> As some students return to the campus of Emory & Henry College and most start their studies remotely due to the global pandemic, concerns for social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion remain at the forefront of dialogue on campus as well as in the country. <a href="/live/news/1345-emory-henry-ushers-in-new-academic-year-with" class="link-with-arrow gold">Keep reading</a></div></div>
  • <div class="lw_news_image"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2068-the-office-of-diversity-equity-and-inclusion"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,560,315/10458_Native_American_Heritage_Month.rev.1636033032.webp 1x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/png" srcset="/live/image/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,560,315/10458_Native_American_Heritage_Month.rev.1636033032.png 1x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,560,315/10458_Native_American_Heritage_Month.rev.1636033032.png" alt="Native American Heritage Month" width="345" height="225" data-max-w="560" data-max-h="315" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a></span></div><div class="lw_widget_text"><h4 class="lw_news_headline"><a href="/live/news/2068-the-office-of-diversity-equity-and-inclusion">The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion recognizes Native American Heritage Month</a></h4><div class="lw_news_summary"> National Native American, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month is observed in November and pays tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. <a href="/live/news/2068-the-office-of-diversity-equity-and-inclusion" class="link-with-arrow gold">Keep reading</a></div></div>
  • <div class="lw_news_image"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/1309-emory-henry-office-of-diversity-equity-amp"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,800,500/8326_Emory__Henry_College-2.rev.1593527701.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,800,500/8326_Emory__Henry_College-2.rev.1593527701.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,800,500/8326_Emory__Henry_College-2.rev.1593527701.jpg" alt="Emory & Henry College campus" width="345" height="225" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,800,500/8326_Emory__Henry_College-2.rev.1593527701.jpg 2x" data-max-w="800" data-max-h="500" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a></span></div><div class="lw_widget_text"><h4 class="lw_news_headline"><a href="/live/news/1309-emory-henry-office-of-diversity-equity-amp">Emory & Henry Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion update</a></h4><div class="lw_news_summary"> Emory & Henry unequivocally supports the organized efforts around the world that seek to disrupt the deeply entrenched systematic mistreatment and discrimination. <a href="/live/news/1309-emory-henry-office-of-diversity-equity-amp" class="link-with-arrow gold">Keep reading</a></div></div>
  • <div class="lw_news_image"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2171-emory-henry-college-kicks-off-black-history"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/6,313,2560,2867/10747_William_H_Turner_-_06Oct2021-5.rev.1643222682.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/6,313,2560,2867/10747_William_H_Turner_-_06Oct2021-5.rev.1643222682.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/6,313,2560,2867/10747_William_H_Turner_-_06Oct2021-5.rev.1643222682.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/6,313,2560,2867/10747_William_H_Turner_-_06Oct2021-5.rev.1643222682.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/6,313,2560,2867/10747_William_H_Turner_-_06Oct2021-5.rev.1643222682.jpg" alt="Dr. William Bill H. Turner" width="345" height="225" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/6,313,2560,2867/10747_William_H_Turner_-_06Oct2021-5.rev.1643222682.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/6,313,2560,2867/10747_William_H_Turner_-_06Oct2021-5.rev.1643222682.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2554" data-max-h="2554" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a></span></div><div class="lw_widget_text"><h4 class="lw_news_headline"><a href="/live/news/2171-emory-henry-college-kicks-off-black-history">Emory & Henry College Kicks off Black History Month Celebration</a></h4><div class="lw_news_summary"> The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Emory & Henry College will kick off its month-long celebration of Black History with featured speaker Dr. William “Bill” H. Turner. His talk will take place at the Van Dyke Center on the Emory Campus in the Board of Visitors Lounge on Wednesday, February 2, at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. <a href="/live/news/2171-emory-henry-college-kicks-off-black-history" class="link-with-arrow gold">Keep reading</a></div></div>
  • <div class="lw_news_image"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/1308-president-wells-addresses-our-lgbtq-community"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/1107,0,2355,1250/8318_unnamed.rev.1593103144.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/1107,0,2355,1250/8318_unnamed.rev.1593103144.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/1107,0,2355,1250/8318_unnamed.rev.1593103144.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/1107,0,2355,1250/8318_unnamed.rev.1593103144.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/1107,0,2355,1250/8318_unnamed.rev.1593103144.jpg" alt="Emory & Henry welcomes all." width="345" height="225" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/1107,0,2355,1250/8318_unnamed.rev.1593103144.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/1107,0,2355,1250/8318_unnamed.rev.1593103144.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1248" data-max-h="1250" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a></span></div><div class="lw_widget_text"><h4 class="lw_news_headline"><a href="/live/news/1308-president-wells-addresses-our-lgbtq-community">President Wells Addresses Our LGBTQ+ Community</a></h4><div class="lw_news_summary"> Emory & Henry is celebrating Pride Month by providing outreach and support to the Emory & Henry LGBTQ+ Community. <a href="/live/news/1308-president-wells-addresses-our-lgbtq-community" class="link-with-arrow gold">Keep reading</a></div></div>
  • <div class="lw_news_image"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/1839-may-is-asian-americanpacific-islander-heritage"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1080,1080/9840_Copy_of_Spring_Sale_Instagram_Template_-_Made_with_PosterMyWall.rev.1620314092.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1080,1080/9840_Copy_of_Spring_Sale_Instagram_Template_-_Made_with_PosterMyWall.rev.1620314092.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1080,1080/9840_Copy_of_Spring_Sale_Instagram_Template_-_Made_with_PosterMyWall.rev.1620314092.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1080,1080/9840_Copy_of_Spring_Sale_Instagram_Template_-_Made_with_PosterMyWall.rev.1620314092.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1080,1080/9840_Copy_of_Spring_Sale_Instagram_Template_-_Made_with_PosterMyWall.rev.1620314092.jpg" alt="May Heritage Month Flyer" width="345" height="225" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1080,1080/9840_Copy_of_Spring_Sale_Instagram_Template_-_Made_with_PosterMyWall.rev.1620314092.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1080,1080/9840_Copy_of_Spring_Sale_Instagram_Template_-_Made_with_PosterMyWall.rev.1620314092.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1080" data-max-h="1080" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a></span></div><div class="lw_widget_text"><h4 class="lw_news_headline"><a href="/live/news/1839-may-is-asian-americanpacific-islander-heritage">May is Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month & Jewish American Heritage Month</a></h4><div class="lw_news_summary"> The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is commemorating & celebrating May as Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Jewish American Heritage Month. We invite all of you to join us as we celebrate!  <a href="/live/news/1839-may-is-asian-americanpacific-islander-heritage" class="link-with-arrow gold">Keep reading</a></div></div>
  • <div class="lw_news_image"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2178-new-leadership-program-at-emory-henry-college"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2136/10775_DEI_Holston_Check-30.rev.1643820875.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2136/10775_DEI_Holston_Check-30.rev.1643820875.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2136/10775_DEI_Holston_Check-30.rev.1643820875.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2136/10775_DEI_Holston_Check-30.rev.1643820875.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2136/10775_DEI_Holston_Check-30.rev.1643820875.jpg" alt="Greg McMillan '90, VP for Advancement, E&H; Rev. Sharon Bowers, Director of the Inclusion & Dialogue Center, E&H; Alliso..." width="345" height="225" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2136/10775_DEI_Holston_Check-30.rev.1643820875.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2136/10775_DEI_Holston_Check-30.rev.1643820875.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2136" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a></span></div><div class="lw_widget_text"><h4 class="lw_news_headline"><a href="/live/news/2178-new-leadership-program-at-emory-henry-college">New Leadership Program at Emory & Henry College: Receives $50,000 Gift from Holston Foundation</a></h4><div class="lw_news_summary"> Students in the region will now have a new opportunity to develop key leadership skills in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion, civic engagement and social justice at Emory & Henry College due to a generous gift of $50,000 from the Holston Foundation. <a href="/live/news/2178-new-leadership-program-at-emory-henry-college" class="link-with-arrow gold">Keep reading</a></div></div>
  • <div class="lw_news_image"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/1127-project-promise-comes-to-emory-henry-through"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/96,0,2233,2136/7367_group2.rev.1579796171.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/96,0,2233,2136/7367_group2.rev.1579796171.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/96,0,2233,2136/7367_group2.rev.1579796171.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/96,0,2233,2136/7367_group2.rev.1579796171.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/96,0,2233,2136/7367_group2.rev.1579796171.jpg" alt="Student discuss topics during a breakout session during MLK Convocation." width="345" height="225" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/96,0,2233,2136/7367_group2.rev.1579796171.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/83/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/96,0,2233,2136/7367_group2.rev.1579796171.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2137" data-max-h="2136" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a></span></div><div class="lw_widget_text"><h4 class="lw_news_headline"><a href="/live/news/1127-project-promise-comes-to-emory-henry-through">Project PROMISE Comes to Emory & Henry Through the Awarding of a Grant</a></h4><div class="lw_news_summary"> The Arthur Vining Davis Foundation has awarded Emory & Henry College as one of seven Appalachian College Association (ACA) colleges with a grant to initiate Project PROMISE, a collaborative program to help college campuses identify their strengths and weaknesses regarding diversity and inclusion. <a href="/live/news/1127-project-promise-comes-to-emory-henry-through" class="link-with-arrow gold">Keep reading</a></div></div>