Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) Office of Institutional Diversity, in partnership with the Criminal and Social Justice Department, History and Political Science Department, Social Work Department, Diversity Council, Safety and Security Department, and University Ministry, invites the community to join with members of the USF community every Monday in June as part of the Pause for Justice Series. At 8:46 a.m. and 8:46 p.m. on June 8, 15, 22 and 29, USF will host virtual sessions lasting 8 minutes and 46 seconds each.
“Although we mourn the loss of George Floyd, we celebrate the thought that this is a social justice movement and urgent call for change. Pause for Justice has been coordinated to show support for Black Lives while listening, compassionately, to the experience and stories of others,” said USF Director of Institutional Diversity and Title IX Coordinator Allison Heard.
“Each program lasts for a total of 8 minutes and 46 seconds which is the amount of time that a Minneapolis Police Officer had his knee on George’s Floyd’s neck while he called out the words, ‘I can’t breathe. Please help me. Mama!’ Often times when people die, we say, ‘Rest in Peace.’ Peace is achieved when there is equal justice and service under the law and when systems and institutions are not created to oppress people of color and vulnerable populations. Each Monday program is presented in a different format and is designed for people to come together in an effort to empathize with the plight of others. Wayne W. Dyer is quoted as saying, ‘Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be.’ In that respect, we invite members of the Joliet and neighboring communities to come and discuss life as it is,” Heard added.
Individuals interested in participating should email Allison Heard at aheard@stfrancis.edu to confirm attendance and to receive a private meeting link.
Visit stfrancis.edu/institutional-diversity or follow @usf_diversity on Instagram for more information on upcoming programming and events.
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Currently celebrating 100 years of higher education rooted in Franciscan values, the University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 50,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.
University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.
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