Let Us Act to Do and Be Better

Dear DU Community:

We are saddened and angry that, once again, we need to write about an incident meant to incite fear and hatred toward members of our community. Across the U.S. and internationally, including on our campus today, anonymous fliers have been posted on university and college campuses with the statement: “It’s OK to be White.” Among many other more serious issues raised by these fliers, they violate University policy and have been removed.

The fliers appear to be part of a global campaign, and national media reports are suggesting these fliers are intended to promote white supremacist ideologies. This type of ideology is abhorrent and has no place on our campus. We believe in celebrating all identities and do not value or place more worth of one identity over another.

Malicious actions like this remind us that we must continue to come together and repeatedly resist violence, injustice and hate. Our world, our nation and our community are hurting. Let us act to do and be better.

In response to the painful incidents over the past week, there are several events planned for the coming days to support one another and figure out next steps. We strongly encourage you to join your colleagues and peers to listen, learn and determine how we can affect change, individually and collectively.

• Thursday, Nov. 1, 6 p.m.
Join Hillel and Chabad at the Holocaust Memorial Action Site to show your support for our Jewish community and the victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting in Pittsburgh.

• Friday, Nov. 2, Noon, Driscoll Green
Join us at the rally for unity and conversation to demonstrate we are united against hate and bigotry.

• Tuesday, Nov. 6, Noon, Reiman Theatre, Margery Reed
Join several faculty for a moderated panel conversation in response to recent anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and anti-LatinX sentiment. 

These acts are meant to strike fear in our community and across our nation. They are meant to further divide us. We must not let those determined to divide us take away our power and agency, but rather use these moments to cultivate a society that respects and expects equity and compassion.

Rebecca Chopp, Chancellor

Jeremy Haefner, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

Frank Tuitt, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor and Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, & Professor of Higher Education

Lili Rodriguez, Vice Chancellor for Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence

We remain vigilant and are taking the necessary steps to keep our community safe. Campus Safety is investigating who posted these fliers; if you have any information please contact Campus Safety at 303-871-2334.