Baker Stands With Black Lives Matter

As a community, we want to express that Baker College stands in unwavering solidarity with Black individuals through the Black Lives Matter movement. We acknowledge the pain and suffering the Black community has endured, not only in recent times, but for generations, at the hands of systematic oppression, racial discrimination, and police brutality. The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many more have shown us the long established history of injustices against the Black community that must be addressed.

We cannot be indifferent. We must use all the power and privilege that we have as members of the Rice community to fight for justice. We are committed to engaging in active efforts of anti-racism and shall continue to advocate for justice for all members of our community. We must consistently fight for equality and amplify the voices of our Black peers, especially when media coverage subsides.

To our Black students, please know that your lives, and all Black lives, matter. And you deserve to live a life without fear. 

Following the incidents that took place in Summer 2020, we revaluated and increased the funding for the Diversity Committee so that the committee can better carry out its missions and goals. We are also committed to expanding the roles of the Diversity Committee and Diversity Facilitators at Baker to engage in important, consistent dialogue that promotes the growth of our community as a whole. We stand in full support with Black and Black-affirming organizations at Rice University.

It is incumbent on all of us to stand beside those who face the challenges of oppression and racism every day. We ask for each of you to take action in your own communities and to check up on your friends. Some suggestions are given here in the linked Action Items for Allies document created by Rice’s Diversity Facilitators. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Baker’s Diversity Facilitators and Diversity Committee Chairs with any questions or concerns.

Contacts Diversity Committee Chairs

• Jena Manning (jlm20@rice.edu)

• Aditi Raju (ar139@rice.edu)

• Kevin Lei (kl115@rice.edu)

• Reem Abbas (rea4@rice.edu)

• Alejandro Lucena (ajl18@rice.edu)