Editorial: Condemn violence and hate, urge love and unity
CPC president will order safety review
By Linda Fedrizzi-Williams
President
Central Penn College
Dear College Community,
It is with sadness today that I write to you after another senseless act of violence occurred in our nation in under two weeks.
My heart goes out to the Uvalde, Texas, community, where 19 students and two teachers were murdered Tuesday by an 18-year-old gunman.
Only 12 days ago, another mass shooting occurred in Buffalo, New York, fueled by a self-described white supremacist who killed 10 Black people and injured three others in a horrific hate crime.
And just last weekend, a Central York High School teacher was killed by a neighbor at her home, in front of her 3-year-old child, over a dispute that could have easily been worked out through discussion.
It is impossible to wrap our heads around these despicable acts of hatred because there is no understanding as to why someone would commit these acts.
As a college community, it is important for us to reaffirm our commitment to our core values, and to work together in unity to defend them.
We stand against and condemn these acts of violence, hate and extremism that continue to occur in our nation.
We must cherish the beautiful unity as well as diversity that forms our community.
In times like these, we must reach out and express our love and concern for one another.
Every person at this college is valued. There will never be a place here for unchallenged expressions of hate or bigotry.
I am also ordering a review of procedures designed to keep us safe.
As president of Central Penn College, neither I nor anyone else will tolerate any type of inhumane conduct at this college.
Any case of hate or threats must be reported immediately to our Public Safety Department at (717) 728-2364 or by email at PublicSafety@centralpenn.edu.
Also, if you are struggling with any feelings around the events that have occurred, please feel free to contact Counseling Services at (717) 728-2416 or cpccounselor@centralpenn.edu.
Please join me in sending love to the families affected directly by this violence. Please pray for the communities of Buffalo; Uvalde, Texas; and York County, and for the rest of our country that we may find the courage to stop the mass killing of people who are just trying to live their lives.
In upcoming weeks, we will offer sessions, trainings and workshops to strengthen our college community.
Central Penn College is not a perfect place, but we will unite against injustices whenever and wherever we encounter them.
I want to thank all students, faculty and staff for standing up for these values.
Sincerely,
Linda Fedrizzi-Williams, EdD, MA
President
In addition to being Central Penn’s president, Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams is publisher of The Knightly News.
This message appeared first in a Central Penn College email.
Edited for The Knightly News by club co-adviser and blog editor Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.
