Student POV: Students Call for Action
Today, first and foremost, we are grieving. We are grieving the losses of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. We find ourselves confronted by these losses as we continue to struggle with our grief over the losses of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Freddy Gray, and countless other Black folks who have gone unnamed, whose stories have gone untold or been obscured from us. We are grieving the terrible violence that took these people from us and the terrible violence that continues to affect Black and Brown folks every day.
We see these acts of police brutality as firmly rooted in our country’s long historical legacy of racism, from settler colonialism, slavery, and segregation to mass incarceration, redlining, gentrification and racialized health disparity. At our supposedly neutral baseline, even as we make small movements to push the dial towards a more equitable future, this country’s history of violence towards people of color continues to haunt us all. To remain neutral in the face of injustice is taking the side of the oppressor; as social workers, we must not idly stand by and watch structural racism destroy the lives in our community. There is much work to be done.
Action begins with us: 
- We must uncover, claim, and take accountability for our racist history, both individually and collectively.
- We must dismantle systemic oppression across race, gender, sex, ability, age, etc.
- We must remain creative and open in our approaches to change, and intentional in creating community that will propel us forward in these efforts.
- We must stay present and engaged in the larger movement.
- We must bear witness to the struggles of our communities, amplify the voices and stories of those silenced, and stand in solidarity against social injustices.
To our faculty, staff and administration, and colleagues this is our call to action — join us! We have work to do.
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Student Organization Board of Directors
Boston University School of Social Work
President: Eunice Kwon
Secretary: Jasmin Choi
Treasurer: Tina DuBois
Social Workers for Action: April Tang
Students of Color: Nandini Choudhury
Unpacking Privilege: Nicole Brooks
Admissions and Financial Aid: Tina DuBois
Alumni Relations: Jasmin Choi
Curriculum: Laura Heller
Macro Practice: Nandini Choudhury and Tina DuBois
Self-Care and Wellbeing: Jaleesa Bell
Equity and Inclusion: Eunice Kwon