At this terribly tragic and highly emotional moment in our nation's history, we need to support and understand each other. The University of Memphis, as a microcosm of our nation, needs to be in a role model of understanding and compassion.
We must treat everyone on this campus with respect. We are a nation comprised of people from diverse backgrounds and cultures from all over the world. I urge faculty and staff members and student leaders, in particular, to take a key role in making sure students receive this message and grasp its tremendous importance.
Although the attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., are alleged to have been carried out by persons with Middle Eastern connections, the blame lies only with those individuals, not with everyone who is of Arab heritage or who professes the Muslim belief. In fact, many Arabs and Muslims, leaders and citizens alike, have condemned the attacks as cowardly, and they have expressed sympathy for the victims and for the nation.
It must also be emphasized that our government has repeatedly stated that it cannot yet identify, with absolute certainly, the specific organizational or national allegiances of the perpetrators.
Harassment or reprisals of any sort against individuals based upon their national origin, ethnicity, religious preference or membership in any group are not acceptable. If anyone experiences, or witnesses, any form of undue treatment on this campus, they should report the incident to University authorities at once.
Finally, at this critical moment in our nation's history, we, as Americans and as members of the University community, should dedicate ourselves to strengthening the essential unity of our diverse and vibrant nation, and to supporting the survivors and families of those who perished in Tuesday's horrible events.
Shirley C. Raines
President
