Dear Students and Colleagues,

I am horrified and saddened by the senseless murders of 11 Jewish worshipers that occurred in a Pittsburgh synagogue and two African-Americans at a Kentucky supermarket this past week. On behalf of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the targeted victims of these horrendous hate crimes and to the families and friends who are left grief-stricken in the aftermath.

It is an utter tragedy that violent acts of hate continue to plague our nation. This is unacceptable in a civil society.

Social workers and nurses are often on the front lines when crises such as these devastating events occur. Our professional expertise is needed now more than ever and it is critical for us to work together and support those in our communities who are grieving during this difficult time.

While horrific incidents like these may shake us, we must not get discouraged. We must remain steadfast in our commitment to engage each other with dignity and respect and advocate for the vulnerable and marginalized populations that are often targeted for their differences.

It is our duty and privilege to serve others and to promote the health and well-being of all people. As social workers and nurses, we will continue to play a critical role in repairing humanity while restoring hope to those who need it most.


Sincerely,

John D. Clapp, PhD, FAAHB
Interim Dean and Professor
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work