Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of George Floyd, in Houston’s Third Ward, in Minneapolis, and beyond. We acknowledge the labor of activists who helped bring an incremental measure of accountability for his murder. We also recognize that the work of defeating anti-Black racism is not done, and we remain actively committed to the ultimate goal of eliminating anti-Black violence in our community and country. This work belongs to all of us, and this is a beginning, not an end. George Floyd’s murder was not the result of a single bad actor, but of systemic injustice against Black Americans stemming from centuries of racism and oppression.

We will honor George Floyd and all of those lost to anti-Black violence through education and action. While we recognize that education is a crucial step in becoming anti-racist, we also acknowledge that education itself is not enough. We must act to end anti-Black racism and violence. We invite you to join University of Houston Libraries in the following actions:

• Register for a Hollaback! Bystander Intervention Training.
• Become involved in and donate to local organizations that support Black Houstonians, such as NAACP Houston or Black Lives Matter Houston.
• Educate yourself on systemic anti-Black racism and violence. You may want to use Ibram X. Kendi’s Antiracist Reading List as a guide.