Stand up against injustice, racism, and inequity!
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and many other Black lives lost to hateful acts, injustice, and inequity. I know this senseless loss of life has impacted our Brothers on the emotional spectrum: from sadness to rage.
I want to reaffirm our position on racism and acts of inequity as it pertains to Triangle. We have zero tolerance for it. For as long as I have been on Council, we have always had a statement in our Risk Management Policy, citing Reg. 3.6.4 RESPECT AND DIGNITY:
“Triangle expects its organizations, members and guests to respect the dignity of all persons. This includes, but is not limited to, the areas of gender, ethnicity, national origin, race, sexuality, religious or cultural practices or individuals with disabilities. Abusive, harassing or discriminatory behavior towards others is prohibited.”
To our Black Brothers, if you are experiencing or have experienced abusive, harassing, or discriminatory behavior from another Triangle Brother, I want you to know that you can and should reach out to me (president@triangle.org) or our Executive Director, Tom Pennington (tom@triangle.org). Our professional staff and National Standards Committee will handle any situation with the seriousness it deserves, as no one deserves such treatment.
The Triangle I love is an organization that respects our members based on their character and morality, their actions and good deeds, and their scholastic achievement. That respect has absolutely no bearing on race, religious preference, or sexual orientation. To our Black Brothers, you always have a home in Triangle.
However, I am not naïve to think this is the Triangle that flawlessly exists. It is up to each of us to act accordingly and stand up against Brothers or non-Brothers who persist in injustice, racism, and inequity. It is up to each of us to ensure our chapter homes and professional environments offer a home to our Black Brothers.
“Maintain my self-respect by proper conduct at all times.”
Triangle draws strength from our diversity, much like the STEM community. To the future, I am hopeful of growing our strength, together, to support our Black Brothers so that they may flourish in the STEM community, not only in success, but in higher numbers.
I am hopeful because Triangle is an organization of problem-solvers and inventors. Through new technologies, improved regional planning in underserved communities, and inventive social protocols to remove racial bias, I am hopeful we can eradicate lives lost and lives impacted through inequality, and injustice. It is our responsibility to do so.
Brothers, if you do choose to march and protest, I ask that you do so peacefully and safely and observe CDC recommended protocols against COVID-19.
In FSC&T,
Joe Cerrato os05
Triangle President
For more information, our staff has provided the following resources to inspire dialogue and action:
https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234