Morgan State University President David K. Wilson Reflects on Mass Shooting and Hate Crimes

My Fellow Morganites,

As we prepare for this week’s Commencement Exercises, I greet you with a heavy heart. It is difficult for many of us to accept the harsh reality that five mass shootings occurred this past weekend within our nation. And, like many of you, I felt the fatal incident in Buffalo, New York, strike at the heart of our historically Black institution, because the 10 lives lost were African-American.

Approximately two years ago, our great nation erupted in protest in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd. However, despite the overwhelming groundswell that ensued, it shockingly, and dishearteningly, appears that the normalization of social injustice and racial violence in this country continues. In the face of this trend, it is imperative that we all are assured, and make it clear to others, that violence has no place in a civilized society. We cannot allow hatred to feel welcomed in our communities — no matter the race, color, ethnicity or religion. We cannot sit idly by during what may be one of the most challenging and pivotal moments in U.S. history since the Civil War.

In the days preceding our Commencement Exercises this week, I remind the entire Morgan family that here at Morgan, we ‘Grow the Future’ to ‘Lead the World.’ We intentionally and unapologetically equip our students with the education and training necessary to make this world a better place. We all have a role in creating a better world. When heinous attacks against humanity occur, we need to stop and check ourselves to make sure we are doing our part to stop its unwelcomed progression from taking residence in our communities, our workplaces and our nation.

I remind all of us of Morgan’s indisputable legacy of battling racism and racial hatred, which dates as far back as 1910, when our first graduate, George W.F. McMechen, and his law partner, W. Ashbie Hawkins, — a graduate of Morgan’s predecessor, Centenary Biblical Institute — boldly challenged the residential color line in western Baltimore City. At the turn of the century, our first graduate was one of Maryland’s earliest freedom fighters. And, he provided an excellent model for us. As Morganites, we do not stand down in the face of adversity; we stand tall in its face. We are no strangers to injustice or racial hatred. And, even with the best laboratory testing available, fear simply can’t be found in our Morgan DNA. We will engage this challenging season the same way we have met foes in the past: head on.

I encourage each of you to take a moment sometime today and write to your elected officials. Express your outrage about the state of current affairs, particularly as they relate to gun control, and advocate for tougher legislation. Push your representatives, at all levels — local, state and federal — to capably address hate crimes and domestic terrorism with ironclad legislation that prosecutes perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law. We all value the First Amendment, as a seminal tenet of our democratic republic. But, the First Amendment was intended to be exercised with great responsibility. We must be both responsible and accountable to one another as Americans, and above all, as a human race.

Let our faith in one another be renewed as we come together in celebration of the majestic milestone of Morgan matriculation and degree conferment. Let us be reminded that what happens in one community can happen in any community, and that one act of racial violence is a threat to peace everywhere. As Morganites, we will continue to stand in solidarity with those who stand for peace. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who tragically lost their lives this weekend, and to their surviving families, friends and communities.

Respectfully,

David K. Wilson
President