Dear School of Business and Economics Community,
The School of Business and Economics condemns in the strongest possible terms the continuation of acts of racism and discrimination in our culture, whether explicit or implicit, intentional or inadvertent. The tragedies of generations of violence and dehumanization up to and including the homicide of Mr. George Floyd represent a call to action. The SBE has long been clear about our commitment to inclusive excellence. Indeed, we have championed and developed meaningful progress in this regard. The Wine Industry Scholars Program is one such example. As valuable as these efforts continue to be, we must do more.
As influencers of the behaviors and values of future generations of business and organizational leaders and professionals we have voice and power, unlike those in our community who are marginalized and too often victims of racism, discrimination, and injustice. Racism, discrimination, and injustice are wrong, counterproductive, and combine to deny the inherent dignity of all members of our community, including those who are not members of historically marginalized groups. We are obliged to be active in replacing these insults to humanity with kindness, habits of inclusiveness, and community. We are obligated to model what we believe and teach. When we recognize or hear about racism, discrimination, or injustice committed by ourselves or others we need to name it, call attention to it, and engage it. It is the right and smart thing to do. To fail to do so signals our indifference toward illogic, inefficiency, and inhumanity. We cannot be on that side of history. The stakes are too high.
We enthusiastically join President Sakaki, Provost Vollendorf, and our colleagues in the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business in their condemnation of racism and discrimination and demand that all institutions including the SBE take further action to make clear where we stand and with whom.
I am calling upon the members of the SBE to open our hearts and minds to better understand how we can contribute toward an equal and just society. Accomplishing this goal will require a unified commitment from the SBE, but we won’t be successful without each one of us every day in ways small and large acting as if achieving this goal matters. Afterall, schools can’t act if the people who comprise them don’t.
Sincerely,
Dan Petree
Dean, School of Business and Economics
Sonoma State University