Recent events have shown that systemic racism continues to disadvantage and endanger Black lives in the United States. Black Missouri State students have shared personal experiences with racism in our community and on our campus.

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages wants you to know that we hear you and stand with you. We are committed to anti-racism and acknowledge that we still have work to do.

As a group of educators and scholars dedicated to teaching and promoting intercultural competence and the appreciation of human diversity, we condemn all forms of systemic racism, including racial violence and discrimination. We do not tolerate any form of abuse or discrimination of our students, faculty, or staff based on race, ethnicity, or any other type of difference.

We reaffirm our commitment to:

• Teach and model our core values of intercultural competence, diversity, and inclusiveness;
• Make our curriculum inclusive of a variety of viewpoints and experiences;
• Provide learning environments where Black students and students of color feel welcome and are treated with dignity and respect;
• Listen to, take seriously, and appropriately respond to the concerns of Black students and students of color;
• Respond promptly and assertively to complaints of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or any other type of difference.