As faculty of the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, we issue this statement to express our steadfast commitment to diversity, and to nurturing a community grounded in inclusion and respect for difference. We stand together with our students against racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, religious discrimination and xenophobia. We thoroughly condemn any actions or speech designed to make our students, faculty, or staff feel unwelcome. Echoing President Angel Cabrera's recent statement:
“If you are Muslim or Jewish or Christian, you belong at George Mason University.
If you grew up in Mexico City, Islamabad, or Roanoke, you belong at Mason.
If you are part of the LGBT community, you belong at Mason.
If you are Black or Brown or White, you belong at Mason.
If you voted for Clinton or for Trump or anyone else, you belong at Mason.
Whatever your background is, your uniqueness represents the very essence and incredible strength of our university. You make Mason, Mason.”
These words of solidarity and community are needed now more than ever as campuses and communities across the country have seen a surge in violent and intimidating incidents. We stand together now, as a community, and thoroughly and unequivocally denounce hatred.
We understand that within our community there are, and will continue to be, diverse responses to the challenges that lay ahead. We will not all agree on the way forward, or on our analyses of the grave problems facing our country or the world. But we share a belief that S-CAR, and other institutions devoted to the peaceful resolution of social and political conflict, will have increasingly important contributions to make in the years to come.
We also recognize that for many of us, the threats, violence and discriminatory rhetoric that have been directed against women, people of color, Muslims, immigrants, refugees, international students, atheists, people with disabilities, and members of LGBTQ communities feel painfully real and personal. These are threats towards our students, colleagues, families and loved ones. We share a commitment to ensuring that S-CAR remains a place where all members of our community feel that they belong and that their concerns are respected and heard.
Sincerely,
Leslie Dwyer, Associate Professor and Director of the Center for the Study of Gender and Conflict
Agnieszka Paczynska, Associate Professor and Director of the MS Program
Susan Hirsch, Professor and Chair of the S-CAR Faculty Board
Sara Cobb, Drucie French Cumbie Professor and Director of the Center for the Study of Narrative and Conflict Resolution
Juliette Shedd, Assistant Professor and Associate Dean
Patricia Maulden, Associate Professor, Director of Dialogue and Difference
Marc Gopin, James H. Laue Professor, Director of CRDC, the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution
Douglas Irvin-Erickson, Assistant Professor,
Karina Korostelina, Professor
Tehama Lopez Bunyasi, Assistant Professor
Pamina Firchow, Assistant Professor
Arthur Romano, Assistant Professor
Susan Allen, Associate Professor, Director, Center for Peacemaking Practice
Kevin Avruch, Henry Hart Rice Professor and Dean of the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Terrence Lyons, Associate Professor and Director, Ph.D. Program
Daniel Rothbart, Professor
Thomas Flores, Associate Professor
Solon Simmons, Associate Professor
Mara Schoeny, Associate Professor, Undergraduate Program Director and Graduate Certificate Program Director
Dennis Sandole, Professor
Richard Rubenstein, University Professor