Interim Dean Geeta Anand on the shooting of Jacob Blake

Dear Berkeley Journalism Community,

I am writing today to share my anguish at the police shooting of Jacob Blake, the Black man in Wisconsin who media reports tell us was partially paralyzed after a white officer shot him in the back on Sunday.

Like me, many of you are wondering how it could be that the shooting of Black civilians continues despite the months of protests about police brutality after George Floyd’s death.

In the agony of this moment, I want to urge members of our community to reach out to one another to offer support. Students, please know our instructors and our staff are here to support you. Tracy Pascua Dea, our head of student services, can be reached at tpd@berkeley.edu. Jeremy Rue, our associate dean, can be reached at jrue@berkeley.edu; Andrés Cediel, head graduate adviser, is at acediel@berkeley.edu. I am always available at geeta_anand@berkeley.edu.

I am also urging instructors to incorporate into their lesson plans at the first opportunity some time to check in with their students, explore how we can support one another, process Mr. Blake’s shooting and the protests happening on our streets and discuss how to tell the most powerful stories to reveal truth and injustice.

Instructors, please be guided in these discussions by your own judgment, compassion and students’ needs. Reach out to Tracy, Jeremy, Andrés or me for any additional support you may need.

Here are resources the university has shared for countering anti-Black racism:

• Uprising 2020: A collection of resources to navigate this moment from UCB’s Othering & Belonging Institute
• Anguish and Action – Resources to create a more just and equitable world
• Anti-racism Resource Guide
• Anti-Racist Resources from the Greater Good Science Center

We remain committed at Berkeley Journalism to reporting on systemic racism and police shootings in the deepest, most meaningful way now—and in the years ahead.

With deep sorrow for what has happened, and with deep commitment to journalism that furthers the cause of truth and justice,

Geeta Anand