Message from the President
May 29, 2020
I write today with a heavy heart to discuss the ongoing violence against Blacks in America, for example, the killings of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky and most recently, George Floyd in Minnesota, as well as discuss the harassment and attacks on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, heightened by COVID-19 pandemic.
The relentless violence against members of Black communities across our nation traumatizes Black staff, faculty, and students in our community and our nation. Our colleagues and students are hurting and tired and fragile. Many are uncomfortable going out of their homes with face covering used to keep others healthy because it is not safe to be black and masked. Frankly, it is not safe to be black in everyday situations that whites would not give a second thought - because whites have the privilege of security not afforded people of color and especially black Americans.
As the president of Renton Technical College, as a historian of race, as a white male of privilege, I am deeply disturbed by the structural racism that perpetuates and allows violence against black people in our communities. I am committed to disrupting this violence and leading the College with racial equity to advance justice in our community and expect that you will join me.
Racism is also at the heart of the disturbing instances of xenophobia and racially motivated hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that have increased during this pandemic both in the Seattle region and nationally. Again, many of our staff, faculty, and students are at risk of being targeted in this environment as they go about their daily lives. Everyone should feel safe. I expect each of us to interrupt instances of racism and intolerance and report such behaviors to authorities and to embrace RTC’s values of inclusion and respect.
Kevin D. McCarthy, Ph.D.
President
Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges (WACTC) Board of Presidents
- Resolution Denouncing Violence against Blacks in America In support of Black Students, Faculty, Staff, and Communities
- Resolution Denouncing Anti-Asian Discrimination Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic In support of Asian American and Pacific Islander Students, Faculty, Staff, and Communities
I'm struggling. How do I get help?
- Students may receive free and confidential mental health counseling from RTC's Behavioral Health Counselors.
- Faculty and staff can contact Human Resources, or consult with the free, confidential counselors through the Employee Assistance Program. EAP offers a resource guide for Coping with Toxic Racism and Oppression.
- Students of color can find support at Men of Merit and Women of Merit. Faculty and staff can confide in others through the Faculty and Staff of Color Network. You can also view the presentation on Racial Trauma & Allyship by RTC's Behavioral Health Team and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council.
Women of Merit
Women of Merit is a group for self-identified women of color to gather and support one another at RTC. We invite you to spend some time with us in solidarity during these challenging times.
Typically we get together during the second Wednesday of every quarter for lunch. However, this time we will be gathering over Zoom. During our meeting, we are welcoming our very own Vice President of Instruction, Stephanie Delaney, to discuss her educational pathways and career trajectory followed by a Q&A session. Join us!
Zoom Meeting Link
Men of Merit
The Men of Merit Association is a brotherhood of development for men of color at RTC. Meet all supporters of the Men of Merit! We will build community, eat, network, and learn from each other.
Faculty & Staff of Color Network
The Faculty & Staff of Color Network was created to provide a forum for networking, support, and mentorship for employees who identify as a person of color. This group meets during the academic year for professional development and informal networking.
Current or new employees to the college who are interested in joining the group, please email us at fscn@rtc.edu or stop in to say hi during one of our events.
Video Resources
Presentation on Racial Trauma & Allyship, by Behavioral Health Team & DEIC
A recorded video presentation courtesy of RTC Behavioral Health Team.
White People Talking to White People About Racism
National eConvening with 3,500 attendees. Moderated by Professor John Pascarella, USC Race and Equity Center Chief Academic Officer. Kathy Obear, Ted Mitchell, Ali Michael, Greg Schulz, and Stephen Sachs were panelists.
Other
Check out these other videos:
How can I be an ally?
Ask yourself daily, “What am I doing today to fight for equity, for inclusion, for justice?” This is the work of the RTC community as individuals and as an institution. This is not just the burden, fight, or work of our students, staff, or faculty of Color. It is not their job to educate the rest of society, or the campus, in matters of racism or injustice.
There is a wealth of resources to help you do the imperative and critical work of anti-racism through tangible examples. You can view the presentation on Racial Trauma & Allyship by RTC's Behavioral Health Team and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council and consider the following resources.
Articles to Read
- Okay white people, here’s what you can do now by Roy Johnson
- How White People Can Be Better Allies to the Black Community by Jackie Saffert
- (The above article also shares a link to anti-racism resources for you to engage with ranging from articles, podcasts, social media, tv shows, documentaries, and more.)
- What’s My Complicity? Talking White Fragility with Robin DiAngelo
- A brief refresh on key elements Dr. Robin DiAngelo shared with RTC when she was a guest speaker.
- ‘We Know How to Be Racist. We Know How to Pretend to Be Not Racist. Now Let’s Know How to be Antiracist.’ Valerie Strauss, Washington Post
- How to Respond to Racial Microaggressions When They Occur J. Luke Wood and Frank Harris III, Diverse Education.
- The Chronicle of Higher Education has a wealth of material on diversity and racial equity. Here's one for starters: How Higher Ed Can Fight Racism: 'Speak Up When It's Hard'
Resources from RTC Library
The Library has created a reading guide on diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive teaching and has included links on this page.
Kanopy
Kanopy, RTC’s streaming video service, has a variety of videos on race, racism, and privilege, including Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland and antiracism scholar Tim Wise's White Like Me. There is also a vast social and systemic injustice video collection to browse through. Just sign up for a personal account, and you're good to go.
TED Talks
- High School Training Ground - Malcolm London
- The Danger of Silence - Clint Smith
- Color Blind or Color Brave? - Mellody Hobson
- How Racism Makes Us Sick - David R. Williams
- How to Resolve Racially Stressful Situations - Howard C. Stevenson
- How to Raise a Black Son in America - Clint Smith
Updated June 19, 2020