<div dir="ltr"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-9d8bfb20-7fff-f5f2-033f-ba5bc6e3bbfb"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Good Evening Friends,  </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">We will start by acknowledging that this is a lengthy email. However, we believe that it is important for us to express ourselves fully and openly. So, we thank you in advance for taking the time to read it in its entirety. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This has been an extremely tough week for us. Your black classmates/friends are in pain. We are grieving and mourning. We are exhausted and drained regarding the cycle of events that continue to take place in our country. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">As you know first hand, it takes a lot of energy, motivation and resilience to adjust our learning amongst a pandemic, while fearing for the well-being of both ourselves and loved ones. That’s just the impact of Covid-19. Everyone in this class has accepted that challenge together. This week, we have an additional burden of processing and responding to a painful, traumatic </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">reminder </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">of our reality of existing as a black person in America. To be clear, this is not a new reality for us. We just have a heightened sense of fear for ourselves and our loved ones. A normal “self-care” task of going for a run, or driving to get groceries requires extra preparation to somehow decrease the threat of our skin color. When we hear of Ahmaud Arberry, Breonna Taylor, Keith Lamont Scott, George Floyd and the countless other black lives that have been taken without justice, we weep for our brothers, our fathers, our friends. This could have been any of them. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This could have been any of us. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">So today, please hear us as we have taken the time to construct a carefully thought out and carefully worded request to each of you:</span></p><br><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Exercise Empathy. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">In the same way that we must all choose to provide empathy to our patients with chronic progressive diseases like MS that we have never experienced ourselves...we ask that you would share that empathy with us right now. We know that you can relate to the struggle of studying to a pandemic. We know that there are others who can relate to our struggle of being minorities in America, in our program, and in the Physical Therapy field. We know that you just can’t relate to the struggles of existing as black everyday. We hope that you will support us anyway. </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Inquire and Listen FIRST. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ask us how we are doing, ask us what support we may need (as individuals), ask us how you can better educate yourselves and your communities. Ask us what action you can take. </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Show up for productive conversations. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">We are appreciative that Dr. Eubanks has offered to hold spaces for the discussions that are necessary for all of us to move forward. Let’s take advantage of those opportunities for productive conversations. Please, show up to those spaces with questions and listening ears. </span></p></li></ul><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Now, we have decided to come together to express our collective pain and needs to each of you. However, let us further illustrate for you that there are differences among us, even at this time. The following are individual statements constructed to expand your understanding of how each of us are feeling right now: </span></p><br><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Obed:</span><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> During these trying times we are all facing great challenges. For those of us born with a darker complexion, into the black community, we have faced additional challenges for centuries. These patterns of behaviors inflicted against us in our own communities is heartbreaking. It hurts to see how my brothers and sisters are treated with such diminished value. This is supposed to be the greatest country in the world, and yet 14% of its citizens are forced to walk the streets with hesitation and fear. I understand that this is not new information to anyone, and this has been an ongoing theme for many decades. The more often these painful circumstances occur and the closer they get to your black students, the greater the toll it takes on us mentally and physically. While pursuing my undergraduate degree in Charlotte, there was an unjust killing of a black man by a law enforcement officer just 100 yards from my home and about 300 yards from my school. During my first year at Campbell one of my best friends got killed by a white drunk driver, and justice has yet to be served. And now we face another very real and unjust killing of a man that looks like my brother, my father, and myself. Yet, we see the justice system give a “fair trial” to mass murderers, serial killers, and rapists. I do understand and greatly appreciate that there are great law enforcements and citizens in our country that choose to be educated and risk their lives to serve and protect. Day after day, news after news, statistic after statistic, it just seems like there are too many bad apples in the system that are not held accountable for their repeated behaviors and choice to act on their personal hatred towards people that look like me. The feeling of being disregarded when you have been crying and weeping for your community and for your voice to be heard is hurtful. I understand that my fight as a doctorate student is a little different than others in my community, but the pain, trauma, paranoia, and feeling of helplessness is very much the same. </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">D’jsha:</span><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> “Instead of being colorblind, we need to become </span><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">ethnicity aware</span><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> in order to address the beauty and brokenness in our ethnic stories and the stories of others. But this is a road with treacherous ditches and potential roadblocks and conversations full of tension, confusion, accusation, pain and shame. Some of us represent the oppressed or the oppressor, ethnic enemies, or strangers (excerpt from Beyond Colorblind). ” This quote reminds me that navigating this territory is difficult not only for me but for you as well. However, I want to start the conversation to change the narrative that is so loudly presenting itself in my reality. As a black woman, I am grieving and mourning during this time. Seeing innocent black men and women consistently losing their life to police brutality has taken a toll on me. Everyday I am reminded of the truth that my life could be the next hashtag or the life of someone I love. Many of you are aware of the pain I’ve experienced since my sister’s death during my time in this program. That reality is only one thing on a list of other attacks I experience regularly.  Being black in America is hard and if you’re not careful it will weigh you down and tear you apart. I desperately try to cope effectively so that I don’t spiral out of control by the hatred hurled my way. All I ask is that you consider your black classmates and realize that we can’t control the things that directly affect us. We work incredibly hard to respond appropriately but it’s hard and honestly it seems pointless at times. We need to know that you see us and that you care for us because the world from our perspective is lonely and threatening.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Jalecia:</span><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> We all have our own individualized responses to mourning and grieving. I am aware that my grieving process looks and feels different than that of every individual. With that being said, I am also aware that this time of grieving and mourning is difficult for both you and me. With every new occurrence of injustice in my black community, the anger, frustration, hurt, and fear resurfaces with a magnification of intensity. We are not only constantly fighting for change, but we are also fighting for healing of a wound that seems impossible to remedy. While I was raised not to walk in fear, it is inevitable for me not to fear for my life and the lives of those that I love—my father, uncles, cousins, and my host of family and friends that look like me.  What we are experiencing right now is not exclusive to the current state of our nation. The subject of our conversations, the content displayed by the media, and the message being conveyed by my kind has been an issue that extends well beyond my existence. Despite the physical, emotional, and mental toll that being a black woman takes on me, I still desire to successfully learn, be engaged, and to be completely present. However, I am exhausted and my ability to focus is relentlessly disturbed. I also want to feel safe during my “normal” life activities. Not only is this my reality, but I am the daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend of those who have experienced, firsthand, the trauma that we all currently speak of. While my colleagues and I are making a fervent effort to process, respond, and live we ask that you hear your black students and consider taking a moment to think about our individual experiences and needs during this time.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Monique: </span><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">On Tuesday, May 26th, I witnessed a traumatic death of a man that looks like my father. That night, and until this day, my sleep schedule and my appetite became whatever my grieving heart dictated. I was already more afraid knowing that he often walks in our predominantly white neighborhood every day. My ability to focus became severely diminished. I want to go for a walk in rural NC, but fear diminishes the mental health benefits of a normal “self-care” task. I want to feel safe going to the grocery store. I am taking every precaution to stay free of Covid-19, but there is nothing I can do to socially distance from my blackness. That takes a mental, emotional and physical toll on me. On Tuesday, May 26th, I also wrote an </span><a href="https://theexamplegen.com/2020/05/27/an-open-letter/" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">open letter</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> on my blog that has been sparking constructive conversations between my mother and her colleagues. Although my blog is clearly faith-driven, I have provided a link here, so that you have an opportunity to further understand my perspective, despite your personal beliefs. </span></p></li></ul><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">We would like to leave you with the following resources and book recommendations to assist in a better understanding of the current climate of our country, and the way that your peers, professors and patients are affected.  </span></p><br><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/05/9841376/black-trauma-george-floyd-dear-white-people" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They’re Okay — Chances Are They’re Not</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">White Fragility by Robin Diangelo</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Black Man in a White Coat by Damon Tweedy</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Beyond Colorblind by Sarah Shin </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Why We Can’t Wait by Martin Luther King Jr. </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">No Future Without Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? By Beverly Daniel Tatum </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Radical Reconciliation by Allan Aubrey Boesak and Curtiss Paul DeYoung </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Advocating for Justice: An Evangelical Vision for Transforming Systems and Structures by Stephen Offutt</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Roadmap to Reconciliation by Brenda Salter McNeil</span></p></li></ul><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Thank you for reading, as we know this was a lengthy email. Still, it is only a summary of what we are processing right now. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">With very heavy hearts.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Sincerely,</span></p><div><span><br></span></div><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Monique Jones, Jalecia Faison, D’jsha Daniels, Obed Mulenda </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Campbell University Doctor of Physical Therapy, Class of 2021 </span></p></span><div><br></div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><font size="1"></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>