A message to the Carleton community from President Poskanzer on April 12, 2021
Dear Carleton Students, Faculty, and Staff,
It was profoundly distressing to learn last night that the life of yet another Black man, Daunte Wright, was taken in a police shooting during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, MN. Our hearts go out especially to Mr. Wright’s family and to all those touched by his loss. We grieve with them, even as we are also horrified that the cycle of violence against Black lives is repeated once more.
In a nation, state, city—and certainly also a College—still reeling over and reckoning with enduring prejudice and racial violence, this latest killing reinforces the urgent need to reexamine our system of law enforcement and to root out racism in all its manifestations. Closer to home, it inflicts more pain on students, faculty, staff, and others—especially those who are BIPOC—and it highlights the need for the Carleton community to offer emotional and material support to those affected by this tragedy.
Carleton students who are frightened, outraged, grieving, or seeking to make sense of this latest act of violence are encouraged to take advantage of the many resources available to them, including through Student Health and Counseling, the Office of Intercultural Life, and the Office of International Student Life, the Dean of Students Office, and the Chaplain’s Office.
Faculty and staff struggling with some of the same emotions and seeking assistance may access our Employee Assistance Program for counseling and therapy through the Human Resources website or by calling 1-866-326-7194. EAP is confidential and available to your other family members living at home. Carleton’s insurance provider, Health Partners, also has an EAP Racial Equity webpage to assist you with having sensitive discussions, being an advocate, and coping with stress about racism. Additionally, the Learning and Teaching Center has created a web blog about Teaching in Troubled Times.
May we continue to come together as an educational community that supports and cares for all of its members.
Steve Poskanzer