Frederick Community College (FCC) is deeply committed to racial inclusion, equity, and justice. We stand against racist and oppressive pedagogy and practice. Racist beliefs, behaviors, and sentiments are counter to everything we seek to be, teach, and to learn at FCC. As an institution of learning and a community of learners, we have a unique opportunity to be part of the paths forward towards racial justice and healing. FCC has an institutional racial equity plan which strengthens access and success for all student populations and making equity an institution-wide principle.
As a community, we can support one another and imagine a different future and enact it. Therefore, this is a call to action for us all - whether that action be a commitment to learn more, to change how we engage, or to connect with those around us who are most closely impacted and struggling.
Explore the information, resources, statements, and lessons below to broaden and deepen your knowledge. FCC has a full calendar of events, dialogues, and courses to support moving our community forward. We invite you to join us, and we challenge you to actively participate.
A Message from FCC Faculty - August 2020
To Our Students and Colleagues at Frederick Community College:
The recent horrific events make clear the tremendous impact racialized violence has on you, our classrooms, and our community. COVID-19 has further exposed gross systemic inequalities across our nation and has given rise to xenophobic attacks, fear mongering, and poverty that is unacceptable given the levels of wealth and education in our county. We bear witness to these injustices, and we grieve with you.
History has taught us that racialized violence is not the spontaneous actions of misguided individuals but is embedded in the policies and practices of our institutions; likewise, neglecting to dismantle racism at all costs is to be complicit with it. As professors, we publicly commit our support to those most harmed by systemic inequity, and to all who peacefully but vociferously advocate and fight for the dignity of all people.
While statements of support, like this one, are important symbolic steps towards change, we also understand the need for measurable and visible action in our community. We have been addressing institutional and structural bias through FCC’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan, in our classroom praxis, and in the reflective evaluation of our daily interactions with one another. Additionally, initiatives across the institution are underway, including recruiting faculty of color, supporting the success of students who have historically been harmed by institutional racism, evaluating our curricula for the representation of all people, and addressing any of the College’s patterns that do not support anti racist practices. These plans have been shaped with input from staff, students, and faculty, and are further evidence of the actional steps FCC is taking to reimagine our College and community.
We thank all those who have joined to move our institution forward through their passion and commitment in this critical work. We hope to partner with you to cultivate reflection, creativity, action, and a willingness to risk complacency. In order to make Frederick Community College the place of true belonging to which we all aspire, we will heed John Lewis’ words: “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.”
As we begin the fall semester of 2020, let’s get right into the good trouble and the healing, together.
As One Voice,
Kathy Brooks, PhD
Chair, Communication Humanities and the Arts |
Anne Hofmann, MEd, MA
Chair, English |
Teresa Calzonetti, PhD
Chair, Science |
Kyla Newbould, DNP, MS, RN
Chair Representative, Health Science |
Kylena Cross, MS
Chair, Mathematics |
Bruce Thompson, PhD
Chair, Social Sciences and Education |
Diana Culp, MA
Program Manager,
Emergency Management |
Karen Wilson, PhD, MBA
Chair, Computing and Business Technology |
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