Dear Hornet Community,
I write this message with a heavy and compassionate heart as we learn of the casualties related to the long and historical conflict in the Middle East, specifically between the people in Israel, the people in Lebanon, and the people in Gaza. The focus of this message is intended to acknowledge the impacts the conflict and warring have on multiple members of the Sac State community of students, staff, faculty, and community partners and to offer resources to process in productive ways how to deal with a part of the world that we do not control.
During a conflict of this magnitude that has implications for individuals one knows on both sides of the issues surrounding the conflict, silence is a natural reaction. Yet, as a division of the Sacramento State campus on a mission to become an antiracism and inclusive campus, silence is an unacceptable answer. Therefore, we use this platform to condemn all forms of violence, discrimination, oppression, and loss of life, demonstrate care and concern for the families directly or indirectly impacted by the warring, and call for the perpetuation of peace on and around our campus. We hope our stand for the sanctity of human life will reverberate and reach the people in the Middle East.
It is challenging to watch the explosions, the rising death toll, and the violence in the Middle East. It is equally challenging to acknowledge that mostly civilians are caught in the crossfire and are the casualties of this war. Knowing the right thing to say or ways to comfort the multiple Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian students, staff, and faculty who have vested familial and ancestral ties to the issues is challenging.
So as a caring university, it is critical that our students, staff, faculty, and community partners know that we are here for them. We have resources to support them in processing the impacts of war; we have compassion during these difficult times to listen, learn, and leverage the knowledge of those closest to the issues in support of everyone’s human right to exist freely and to live without fear.
Processing these issues, during difficult times, yet in productive ways is our hope. Though we may be thousands of miles away from the issues physically, we are mentally very present and close to the issues, people, and implications. Here are a few ways to process during wartime that can support productive and healthy mental health, de-escalation of “us vs. them” frameworks, and relationship building:
1. Seek out emotional support and other forms of self-care through the Counseling Center, CARES, or other public or private resources.
2. Share your feelings and thoughts with trusted and compassionate friends, family, and community partners.
3. Reduce or monitor your access to media outlets that re-traumatize and dramatize the issue.
4. Seek spiritual, social, or political guidance from experts on the issue.
5. Spend time journaling about your feelings, thoughts, and peace-filled solutions to the issue.
In the words of King T’Challa from the movie, the Black Panther, produced by Sac State alumnus, Ryan Coogler, “The wise build bridges; while the foolish build barriers.” As a campus community, I call for each of us to be wise in our actions, thoughts, and speech and build the bridge to peace on our campus. It is our hope to show up as our best selves and model care, compassion, and hope for a better future and outcome for those suffering in the Middle East.
In partnership,
Dr. Mia Settles-Tidwell
Vice President of Inclusive Excellence and University Diversity Officer
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