Let's Talk Human Rights

Dear Campus Community,

We know many people at UD and in the region remain concerned about, and unsure how to respond to, the white supremacy rally planned for May 25 at Courthouse Square in downtown Dayton.

The University of Dayton is responding with dialogue, education and actions of love and unity; by honoring the rights and dignity of every person; and by declaring hate has no home in our city, on our campus or in our hearts.

We've already had one event — the Hate Has No Home Here Assembly on the Kennedy Union Central Mall on March 26 — that was a powerful representation of that response. We appreciate the time and commitment of those who came to speak out against hate. The following opportunities for education, dialogue, solidarity, acts of nonviolence and prayerful healing are also planned.  Invitations and publicity will be dispersed electronically and around campus.

• A Teach-in about White Supremacy from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 9 in the Kennedy Union Torch Lounge where UD faculty and staff will share information about historical and contemporary white supremacy and hate movements, including in Ohio. For more information, contact Shelley Inglis, executive director of the Human Rights Center at singlis1@udayton.edu.
• A reading of "Hearing the Silence: The University of Dayton, the Ku Klux Klan, and Catholic Universities and Colleges in the 1920s," by history professor Bill Trollinger, from noon to 1 p.m. April 11 in Kennedy Union 207. The Creating Inclusive Communities program will sponsor the reading. For more information, contact Castel Sweet, coordinator for community engaged learning and scholarship, at csweet1@udayton.edu.
• A campus dialogue to further address dismantling white supremacy and racism will be held 1 to 3 p.m. April 16 in the Kennedy Union Ballroom. The dialogue will include caucuses that culminate in a campuswide community dialogue. For more information, contact Daria Graham, associate dean of students and executive director multicultural affairs, at dgraham1@udayton.edu.

We know individual departments and divisions have planned similar events. We invite you to select one concrete way to counter hate with love to dismantle hate and white supremacy. You can find examples in this anti-racism research guide.

Because we do not wish to draw additional attention to the organizers of the May 25 rally or their message, the University will not be represented at that event. Our focus will remain on our community and our collective efforts. We encourage the campus community to stay away from Courthouse Square on May 25, and support local events that stand for peace and unity occurring elsewhere at the same time. We will explore additional ways to counter hate in our community with city and local groups, and will update you if there are developments.

While recognizing that the presence of this group in Dayton may have an impact on the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of many on campus and throughout our broader community, we have no reason to believe the rally presents any physical threat to our campus in any way and will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure this.

UD unfortunately has addressed recent issues of white supremacy and hate on our campus. Members of our community still encounter identity-based violence or aggression. As a Catholic and Marianist institution, the University is committed to eliminating discriminatory or hateful words and actions, pursuing equity, and realizing a fully inclusive and welcoming environment for learning, discovery, and community engagement. 

Please join us as we work toward this goal.

Daria Graham, associate dean of students and executive director multicultural affairs
Shelley Inglis, executive director of the Human Rights Center
Crystal Caruana Sullivan, executive director of campus ministry