“To our black students, faculty and staff—Black Lives Matter. Much deeper and systemic issues are affecting communities of color, and as a society, we are far from realizing the promise of equality and justice that every person deserves. You have my pledge that justice and equity will remain at the center of my efforts as chancellor....We can and must do better.”

—Chancellor Philip DiStefano

Black Lives Matter. 

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) stands in solidarity with Black students, colleagues, faculty, staff and community members against injustice, racism and violence toward people of color. We are committed to working together to end the legacy of racism in our country and support the University of Colorado Boulder’s pledge to combat racism together.

The police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks and so many others have spurred protests and riots in all 50 U.S. states and in other countries. These protests indicate a deep crisis in our country that must be addressed in a similar manner to the university’s COVID-19 responses. Systemic racism toward people of color in the United States is an epidemic. These killings come at a time where the COVID-19 pandemic is causing much higher rates of death in Black, Latino and tribal communities, especially the Navajo Nation. We urge our campus community to consider racism as another public health emergency for Black, Latino, Native and other communities of color. 

ISSS is renewing our commitment to building an inclusive community, with equitable treatment and access to opportunity for all people. We will continue to learn and engage with international students to learn our place in this movement. As CU Boulder Chancellor Philip DiStefano said, “We can and must do better.”

Chancellor DiStefano’s message of support, hope and inclusivity for all our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members signal that universities must be a beacon of progress in times of social change. ISSS is committed to helping promote that message.

ISSS also recognizes for some of our international students, understanding racism in the United States as non-U.S. citizens may be confusing. We have compiled a list of resources to help our international students understand the context and history of racism of the United States.

To learn more…

To talk to someone…

To report acts of racism or violence…

To take action against racism...