IU's commitment to confront racism and injustice

Today, across IU, Hoosiers are coming together to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and recommit ourselves to the demanding, yet crucial, work of addressing all forms of racism. Throughout the day, hundreds have gathered in the Indiana Memorial Union and online as part of the 2023 IU Social Justice Conference, while countless other students, faculty, and staff are engaged in service throughout our community.

Dr. King's universal message of hope and his belief in dignity, equity, and freedom continues to resonate to this day, including through the clear and compelling case he made for an education characterized by both the co-creation of knowledge and the development of moral character — a blend that has long been foundational to the IU mission.

Sadly, as last week's deeply troubling, racially motivated attack on a bus in Bloomington reminds us, we must be ever vigilant and allied in our stand against hate and injustice. We are heartened by how our community has come together in an unmistakable show of unity and support, for the victim and for our Asian and Asian American friends and colleagues. We’re particularly appreciative of IU’s Asian Culture Center for its ongoing leadership and support for our community. We will, and we must, continue to pursue equity and justice through the support we provide to our students, faculty, and staff and in the daily lives we lead.

Together, we affirm our support for the Asian and Asian American community at IU and our pledge to lead efforts at IU that improve diversity, equity and inclusiveness; address social injustice; and collectively stand up to bigotry and intolerance. At IU, we are and must always be steadfast in our commitment to confront racism and injustice on our campuses and beyond.

Pamela Whitten
President, Indiana University

Rahul Shrivastav
Executive Vice President and IU Bloomington Provost