Dear University of Iowa Students,
On June 3, 2020, law enforcement used tear gas and flash-bang grenades on students and other community members as they were peacefully protesting in Iowa City. In addition to the threats of violence from law enforcement, Black protesters faced the threatening presence of armed white supremacists and agitators. This needs to be named for what it is—trauma. As educators and practitioners trained in understanding the neurobiological realities of trauma, we recognize that the use of tear gas and flash-bang grenades, as well as the presence of armed white supremacists, activates trauma. This trauma can be experienced by not only those who were participating in the protests but also those who are bearing witness to these events. The traumatic effects are varied and compounded for Black people and other people of color who experience the trauma of systemic racism and white supremacy throughout their lives, particularly while navigating a global pandemic that is disproportionately affecting communities of color. For anyone experiencing effects of trauma, your bodies and spirits are trying to survive. You may be experiencing a range of responses to these traumatic events, all of which are valid and may be continuing to re-activate. You deserve support and collective care within and beyond the UI community.
We want to lift up the healing work of current social work student and USG Director of Justice and Equity, Ruth Kahssai, and Dr. Maria Bruno, Executive Director for Belonging & Inclusion and Assistant to the Vice President, who have begun offering bi-weekly Healing Spaces for students, faculty, and staff who identify within the African Diaspora. We encourage those who are experiencing effects of trauma to access the support you need. Other resources, such as the Office of Multicultural and International Student Support and Engagement (MISSE), University Counseling Service, UI Employee Assistance Program, and CommUnity Crisis Services are available as well.
In response to heightened concerns of police presence and violence, the University of Iowa Student Government, in solidarity with over 100 student organizations, have asked the University of Iowa to cease affiliation with law enforcement entities that participated in or were complicit in the use of force against protesters and to hold the University of Iowa Public Safety accountable to protecting its students. These demands are reasonable in response to the trauma you have experienced, and we call on our UI administration to be demonstrably responsive to building trust and ensuring the safety of our students.
Finally, we wish to offer a reminder to our University of Iowa colleagues about the layers of trauma our students are navigating and will continue to navigate in the weeks and months ahead. When the brain goes into survival mode, it makes sense for cognitive and intellectual functions to be affected. To build resilience with our students and communities, we must expect varied manifestations of trauma, respond with empathy, and make necessary and creative adjustments that support their well-being in order to create the collaborative, vibrant learning spaces our students deserve.
We are committed to continuing our own work and supporting student leadership to protect Black lives and work for justice. We are here for you.
University of Iowa School of Social Work