The Eta Society stands with its predecessor, Delta Phi Epsilon, in its work to amplify Black voices.
To the Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority Community,
The murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade, following a long history of police violence towards the Black community, have once again drawn attention to the racism that continues to pervade the United States. We would like to extend our condolences to their families and echo their calls for justice. We share in the hurt and frustration of the nation and acknowledge the disproportionate burden of pain on the Black community. The members of Delta Phi Epsilon Professional Foreign Service Sorority strongly condemn racism and anti-Blackness and stand firm in our commitment to building a more equitable future.
As an organization at a predominantly White institution, we recognize that we have a responsibility to acknowledge privilege and our role in addressing racism within our community. We believe that we must actively promote anti-racism by educating ourselves on Black history, amplifying Black voices, and pursuing political action to address systemic injustices. At an organizational level, we recognize this as a fundamental part of our existence and will continue to make a firm commitment to do our part in advancing the presence of Black people in all environments, encouraging their voices, thoughts, and emotions to not just be heard, but listened to. Much of our GW community experiences the manifestation of systemic racism on a daily basis, and we must take it upon ourselves to combat racism, both overt and covert, in all of our spaces. Internally, we pledge to ceaselessly empower the voices of Black women and to work to dismantle the mechanisms that allow bias to prevail in our community.
Releasing a statement isn’t enough.
Promoting anti-racism is a process; there is no resolute point in which we reach sufficient progress. Thus, we must work to change the system that has allowed the continuation of injustice, discrimination, and hatred as women, students, and human beings. As we continue to move forward, learn and grow with one another and turn our words into action, we want to continue to spread the following resources:
The Elliott School’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion will foster a dialogue on racism, discrimination, and community support on Friday, June 5 at 1:00 pm ET and encourages using this survey to provide topics of interest for future resources and programs.
The GWU Office for Diversity Equity and Community Engagement (ODECE) will begin hosting events next week for the GW community to come together to process, work on healing, and move towards action. We will share more information on these events and others as they become available.
University support resources remain available including Counseling and Psychological Services, Advocacy & Support, Student Affairs, Human Resources, Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC), and ODECE.
For direct action, refer to this Master List of Ways to Help. It includes places to donate, sign petitions, and text or call, along with resources for educating yourself.
Your fellow sisters, past and present, are some of your strongest resources. Reach out and educate one another. Utilize your sisterhood for positive change and support.
To all who identify as a Black POC -- we stand with you. We promise to listen, learn, and show up. You matter and your existence matters.
In solidarity and strength,
Delta Phi Epsilon Professional Service Sorority