The NVC library is showing up for black lives and providing the tools to help students and faculty combat racism and fight for justice. A vital step in the right direction is to understand the perspectives of others whose experiences are different from our own. The library has a depository of resources on the black experience and the culture of white supremacy. The library is here to support the campus with scholarly records that support our diverse community and their information needs. We have put together some resources to help support faculty efforts to engage and integrate these issues into their curriculums. Our aim is to provide sources that will broaden the conversation, inspire critical thinking, and encourage a willingness to learn more. This guide is a work in progress and is the first step towards being part of the solution.
On May 25th, 2020, a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, was recorded kneeling on George Floyd's neck while he was pinned to the floor for eight minutes and forty-six seconds. In the video Mr.Floyd can be heard pleading for his mother and stating that he can't breathe. Massive protests are happening all around the world in response to the killing of George Floyd and the unwarranted police brutality he endured. Protesters in all fifty states have taken to the streets to peacefully march, hold sit-ins, and gather. Thousands of people flocked the streets over the weekend to express their anger and frustration at the senseless killing of yet another black life. With tensions so high and emotions running deep it developed into a series of ongoing nights filled with unrest.