Dear members of the SUNY Oswego community,

I am writing to ask each of you in our SUNY Oswego community to commit with new vigor and dedication to binding the terrible wounds of hatred, bigotry and violence that so deeply mar our lives and our world.  The menace and murder of 11 innocent Jewish men and women in Pittsburgh who were gathering to celebrate new life, and two African-Americans who were simply patronizing their local grocery store in Kentucky are abhorrent to our principles as Americans and anathema to our American beliefs in equality and justice for all.  We must stand together in condemning these and all acts that continue to shake our communities across the nation and around the world.

To the families and loved ones of the victims and to the survivors, we will keep you in our embrace as we send you our deepest sympathy.  

Yet, as we condemn the attacks and mourn for the victims, let us make a new promise to ourselves and to generations to come.  Let us live lives that intentionally respect, honor and offer assistance to everyone in our communities near and far.  Let us purposefully live up to the principles upon which our great country was founded by our example, our action and our support. 

As a truly diverse community, we must individually and together continue to represent a collective stand for peace and civility.  As we recognize and care about those devastated by violence and hate, let us also work together in pursuit of greater understanding, a peaceful common ground, and a more tolerant, humane world for today and tomorrow.

Sincerely,

President