Dear New York Tech Community,

Once again, our nation is plunged into despair, rage, fear, and violence due to the use of excessive force by police in apprehending a black person. George Floyd's death happened in public and in broad daylight. He died without dignity, humanity, forgiveness, or compassion. Those of us who have watched the disturbing video of this incident are maddened and pained by how law enforcement officers subdued him so tragically and harshly.

And now, in the aftermath, we are witnessing the protests, riots, looting, and vandalism. For many, it's not hard to understand the backlash spreading across our nation. It is a catharsis for those who experience unjust treatment, an expression of anger and frustration. They feel the need to take action—any action—to make their voices heard. But what is the right action that we need?

Ignorance flourishes when there is a lack of understanding. Ignorance fuels patterns of behavior that are regressive, racist, and evil. There is no doubt that George Floyd's death was a brutal demonstration of the state exercising its power over the individual. It threatens all of us, most especially those who have been unfairly profiled due to race, ethnicity, religion or national origin.

Let me be clear—racism and ignorance have no place at New York Tech. Our institution was founded on the principles of community, opportunity, equity, and diversity. The pursuit of knowledge in all of its forms—science, technology, engineering, architecture, health, and medicine—are the antithesis of ignorance, prejudice, and racism. New York Tech's mission is to educate and help our students become the respected and trusted leaders of tomorrow.

We mourn for George Floyd, his family, and his friends, as well as others whose lives have been impacted by this tragedy and its aftermath. But it is not enough to express remorse. We know that we can be much better as a community and as a nation. This is what we mean when we say that New York Tech wants to "reinvent the future." We're not just talking about high-tech devices and scientific breakthroughs. We also want to reinvent how our communities interact with each other, demonstrating respect, equity, and understanding. We should all want our society to move toward a brighter future. I urge all of you to become the leaders that the world needs.

Sincerely,

Hank Foley, Ph.D.
President, New York Institute of Technology