Reflection on the Anniversary of the Jacob Blake Shooting
Chancellor Debbie Ford
In the coming days, our region will reflect on tragic events and days of unrest that unfolded after Jacob Blake was shot and injured by a police officer on August 23, 2020. While this anniversary is certainly not one to celebrate, it is one we must all remember.
Unfortunately, our community is not immune to the challenges of inequity and injustice. The afternoon of August 23, 2020, forever changed Kenosha. That event, and the events which followed, should serve as a catalyst for needed and lasting improvements. UW-Parkside, on its own, cannot make sustainable change; real change occurs through partnership and participation.
It is our duty and responsibility to address the disparities. We must have the courage to honestly explore our differences and work together toward equitable solutions. UW-Parkside is a place where diverse voices are heard, and many perspectives are encouraged and welcomed. Students, alumni, faculty, and staff have a deep sense of connection to our communities. When something happens – good or bad – the event impacts our campus.
The story of civil unrest which followed the shooting of Mr. Blake impacted all of us – business owners who saw their livelihoods destroyed; families that lost a loved one; and community residents who watched in disbelief. That is not, however, where the story ends. Our communities came together, we grieved, we shared, and we turned our words into action.
An uptown restaurant that was burned reopened a few weeks ago. The Gorman project, with plans for retail and housing, is moving forward to strengthen the Kenosha Uptown community. And I am proud to say that UW-Parkside is working alongside other higher-education and community organizations to create an Emerging Leaders Academy for youth in the former Brown Bank Building in the Uptown neighborhood. I applaud the efforts of leaders from government, business, education, social welfare, and faith-based organizations that are already under way.
Also, I am honored to work closely with my friend and colleague Dr. John Swallow, president of Carthage College, who is gathering information on various community conversations so that our region’s higher-education institutions are better able to help and to lead where needed. In addition, as the first region in the US to join the Moonshot for Equity with Carthage College, UW-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College and EAB, we are committed to eliminating equity gaps in higher education attainment by 2030.
Last year, UW-Parkside Communication Professor Dr. Jonathan Shailor and students in the certificate program in Conflict Analysis and Resolution (CCARE) designed a community-based learning project: “Rebuilding Kenosha: Community Conversations.” They shared many ideas and identified areas where improvement is needed. The results of these conversations will continue to inform our actions at UW-Parkside as we partner with our communities.
A year ago – sometimes it seems like just a moment ago – I concluded a statement to our campus and community with the following… “Join with me in being strong advocates to bring UW-Parkside’s core values of equity, diversity and inclusion to all. Support each other, listen to one another, and embrace our differences, as these are the actions that make our learning community even stronger. I know we will respond to yet another challenge and emerge stronger together.”
This week is certainly a time for reflection. It is also a time to look forward, as the challenging process of bringing needed change to our community has already begun. The success of positive community efforts depends on all of us. We ALL need to be involved. We are putting words into action.
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