Texas A&M Reacts To Killing Of George Floyd, Nationwide Unrest

Social media posts and emails from Texas A&M University leaders are universally condemning the death of a former student of Texas A&M University-Kingsville caused by a Minneapolis police officer, who has since been arrested.

George Floyd died May 25 while in police custody after three officers had him pinned down for almost nine minutes.

• Texas A&M University President Michael K. Young:
  “I believe we at Texas A&M – as members of one of the largest academic communities in the United State – have an opportunity to do our part, to act, to address the systemic racism and violence that is plaguing our nation. To that end, I am committing myself and my entire senior leadership team to work closely with our wonderful student leaders, faculty, staff and members of our greater communities to enhance the capacity of every voice to be heard in our great republic.” Read Young’s full statement on president.tamu.edu and previous posts on Twitter and Facebook.

• The Texas A&M University System:
  We are mourning with George Floyd’s family, not only because he was one of our own, as a former student of Texas A&M University-Kingsville, but also because his death is truly a national tragedy. It is important we all re-double our efforts to treat everyone, regardless of color, with respect and inclusion in every facet of American life, including our university system.” Read Sharp’s full statement on Twitter.

• Robin Means Coleman, Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity:
  “I can’t sleep (Breonna Taylor). I can’t jog (Ahmaud Arbery). I can’t breathe (George Floyd).I hate that I am writing yet again about racism — a pain and trauma that seems to be so unceasing in our country. Systemic racism continues to deprive us of our very lives. The current national unrest reveals that we are all so very tired of it. I hope that we can supplant sentiments of ‘thoughts and prayers’ with tangible policy changes and action.” Read the full statement from Means Coleman on Twitter.

• Texas A&M University Student Body President Eric Mendoza ’21:
  “This may have occurred in Minnesota, but these issues are still relevant to our campus community. Our African American students deserve to feel safe, welcome, and at home at Texas A&M. We hear you, we see you, and we want to work to amplify your voices.” Read Mendoza’s full statement on Twitter.

• Texas A&M University Student Senate:
  “[George Floyd’s]…death, beyond being the latest incident of racial injustice in America, should speak to the soul of every Aggie. Our core values dictate that we treat all people, from all walks of life and of every race, creed, or origin, with respect. To know that a member of our Texas A&M family was murdered in front of our own eyes, should incite in all of us a passion for justice and a longing to do better.” Read the Student Senate’s full statement on Twitter.

• Texas A&M University Police Department Chief Michael J. Ragan, ’82:
  “Whenever and wherever officers misuse their authority and harm the very citizens they swore to protect, they break the bond of trust between law enforcement and the community. The horrific death of Mr. Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police gravely diminished the good work of many brave and professional law enforcement officers in our country to build trust in their respective communities.” Read Ragan’s full statement on Twitter.

• Jorge Vanegas, Dean, College of Architecture and Chair, President’s Council on Climate and Diversity:
  “Violence against African Americans is real, as is the harassment of people for their country of origin, for their values and beliefs, and for their ethnicity, culture and language. This is an unfortunate reality that we all need to acknowledge, become aware, understand, and not tolerate. Read the full statement from Vanegas on Twitter.

• Texas A&M University Athletics Director Ross Bjork:
  “It’s tragic & sad to wake up & see this happening across our country. Our people, regardless of race/background, should not have to live in fear. We can all choose to lead & be part of the solution. That’s my pledge…” Read Bjork’s full comments on Twitter.

• Bush School of Government and Public Service Dean Mark Welsh:
  “First, I believe Mr. George Floyd’s murder was horrific…and inexcusable. I believe the protests that have followed are a very clear statement by a remarkably broad demographic in our country that “enough is enough…The violence that erupted around some of those protests is also inexcusable; it has to stop. But we can’t let ourselves be distracted by that violence…it is not the message we need to hear. ‘Black Lives Matter’ – that’s the message. I stand firmly in defense of that message. I hope that everyone associated with the Bush School will do the same.” Read the full statement from Welsh on the Bush School website. 
  

• Texas A&M University College of Geosciences
  “As the nation responds to tragic events of the past week, we in the College of Geosciences think it is essential to reaffirm our commitment to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. We have and will continue to take intentional actions to achieve those aspirations.” Read the college’s full comments on Twitter.

• Texas A&M University College of Liberal Arts Dean Pam Matthews:
  “I know that many, many people are hurting right now, and tensions are understandably high. But even in times of extreme stress, there is no place for hatred, bigotry, and threats of violence — not in person or on social media. Our collective contributions to a just world must start with one another, and our commitment to mutual respect and understanding must be firmer than ever.” Read Matthews’ full statement on Twitter.

• Texas A&M University College of Medicine Office of Diversity & Inclusion:
  “Be it Ahmaud Arbery, killed while doing what many of us do—jogging—or Breonna Taylor, killed in the comfort of her own home, or George Floyd (former student of Texas A&M, Kingsville) killed openly on the streets of Minneapolis, the story is the same: HATE! Hate that perpetrates a culture that targets people of color, deprives them of their rights and denies their humanity.” Read the full statement of the College of Medicine website.

• Texas A&M University School of Public Health:
  “As we have been reflecting on the disproportionate effects COVID-19 has had on communities of color, we as public health equity advocates are alarmed and concerned. Those feelings turned to outrage by the recent racist actions across our nation. The mission of the School of Public Health is centered around building stronger communities…We promise to keep listening, identifying inequality, pushing for equity, and creating solutions.” Read the school’s full statement on Twitter.

• Texas A&M University Head Football Coach Jimbo Fisher:
  “While I can’t pretend to comprehend the pain felt by the black community, I want to do my part to bring about the change we are all desperately seeking. This starts with an open and honest dialogue where everyone can be heard and their feelings supported.” Read Fisher’s full statement on Twitter.

• Texas A&M University Women’s Basketball Coach Gary Blair:
  “My heart breaks for the young women in our program and our coaches who are angry, confused and saddened by incidents of the past few weeks, and now, the death of George Floyd. Unfortunately, for many of them and their families, this is not the first time that they must ask, why? We all should be asking why, regardless of our race or ethnicity. I may never fully understand what it means to be black in America, but I certainly know injustice when I see it.” Read the full statement from Blair on Twitter.

• Texas A&M University Men’s Basketball Coach Buzz Williams:
  “Speaking out and posting on social media is important and has value but the change must come from more than words. It is the responsibility of all of us to work daily to demonstrate that love is more powerful than hate, in order to enact change for this generation and the next.” Read Williams’ full statement on Twitter.

Additionally, many deans sent direct messages by email to faculty and students.

If you see something, say something. Report incidents of hate to the university through Stop Hate.