ATOC Stands with Chancellor DiStefano — We Must Do Better
June 10, 2020
The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC) at the University of Colorado Boulder joins Chancellor Phillip DiStefano in condemning racism, and expressing our outrage at the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery this year, along with Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, and countless other victims of brutal racism in recent history. We acknowledge the systemic injustices to which People of Color are subject, and are deeply saddened by the obvious lack of progress in the United States to create an inclusive culture with justice and equality for all.
To not be actively anti-racist and to be silent about the many police-caused killings of Black Americans is to be complicit in the very problem of the deeply rooted systemic racism that burdens and divides our society. The ATOC department will not be silent. We acknowledge that we can, and must, do better. We have begun convening ATOC faculty, staff, and students to respond to these events and to discuss how we can effect real change—both within our campus community and society at large. Our dialogue will continue as we take a thoughtful, introspective look at our department’s structure and processes, and formulate actionable goals. We take this, what will hopefully be a momentous time in American history, to reaffirm our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community, and to redouble our efforts to be a force for positive, lasting change.
The Chair and Faculty
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
University of Colorado Boulder