NDNU President Carey Addresses Violence in the Nation’s Capitol
For Immediate Release – January 7, 2021
Dear NDNU Community,
The events on Wednesday in Washington, DC were shocking and unprecedented acts of violence against our democracy. Our individual reactions to this dark day in our nation’s history vary from anger, frustration, and despair to heartfelt wishes for peace and understanding.
We are thankful to the members of Congress for stepping up to perform their duties and to allow the process of democracy to win over violent efforts to produce a different outcome. In certifying the election results, they have honored and accepted the voice of the people.
As an American university, NDNU participates in the democratic process that is our country’s basis. We, in California, watched as our national Capitol, almost 3,000 miles away, was being invaded. We realized that what we saw and heard does not have a place in the long-revered republic that is the United States.
As a Catholic university, NDNU supports the ongoing pursuit of peace and justice for all Americans and for the world community. The mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur combines peace and justice with education of the individual.
As a values-driven university, NDNU is grounded in the respectful expression of diverse opinions in the search for truth. The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur model the process of Reflection –> Action –> Reflection and we ask our community members to follow their lead.
In spite of our struggles with the pandemic, a long history of racial injustice, and a nation divided along partisan lines, this is a time to find hope rather than despair. The four-year term of a divisive president and his enablers will be ending in less than two weeks. Our partisan politicians will be forced to work together in the U.S. Senate with a 50/50 split. The incoming president and vice president reflect values and priorities that match our aspirational values as a nation. As educators, we must be part of the solution in teaching the importance of facts over lies and be ready to speak up for truth.
We join with other leaders throughout the country, including those of higher education institutions, in condemning those who created this situation, participated, or support these actions in any way.
Please stay safe as we look forward to a new year and new national leadership.
President Carey