As San Francisco State heads into summer break, there remains much to learn and to make sense of. George Floyd's murder by a Minnesota police officer was inexcusable and reprehensible. His murder and countless other racist events, as well as the devastating effects of COVID-19, have pushed racial disparity to the forefront and created more pain for our Black community members.

The San Francisco State campus has long led the charge against social injustice. In 1968, SF State students formed the first Black Student Union in the country and worked alongside other ethnic groups in an effort to have more students of color admitted. At the same time, the Black Panthers were protesting police brutality in the city's communities of color. In response, the campus administration established the College of Ethnic Studies, the first of its kind established on a four-year college campus in the United States. The number of students who study in the College has continued to grow to more than 6,000 per semester.

Yet, here we are over fifty years later protesting systematic racism and injustice.

Chancellor Timothy P. White stated, "as America's largest and most vibrantly diverse institution of higher learning, the California State University is and will continue to be a beacon for the world through these heart-wrenchingly difficult times, transforming the feelings of helplessness for many into hopefulness for all."

Concurrently, University President Lynn Mahoney calls us to educate ourselves: "Enroll in a College of Ethnic Studies course, engage in a conversation or activity sponsored by the Office of Equity and Community Inclusion, or watch Professor Vivian Chavez's video on cultural humility."

College Athletics extends opportunities for student-athletes of all racial and socio-economic backgrounds. For now, sports can and will wait. Facing our nation's ugly past and present head-on cannot. SF State Athletics stands against racism and discrimination in all forms. We stand for inclusion and take great pride in fostering that across our department. We stand with our fellow Black students, scholars, coaches, athletes, and the entire Black community. We will continue to be open and honest as we work towards real change. We will continue to educate, support, celebrate, and elevate our Black teammates.