CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2021 - 2

FROM THE DEAN

his year has been tough - made
tougher by multiple mass
shootings that have occurred in
the last few weeks. I know that
many of you are struggling, like
me, to wrap your heads around
such senseless and seemingly
never-ending violence. As details of all events unfold, our thoughts are with
you and all impacted.
Much is still unknown. What is clear is that
hate seems to be a driving force and that violence is impacting many including the Asian
American and Pacific Islander community, the
under-represented and oppressed, our sister
campus in Boulder, and residents of Colorado
and the country.

Hate cannot drive out hate;
only love can do that. "
As nurses and members of a health professions
school and campus, it is our calling to respect
all peoples from all backgrounds. Let us stand
against hatred of any kind, denounce discrimination, and reject the racism, anger and hatred
that drives some to destroy others. Let us put
a stop to increasing anti-Asian harassment,

CU College of Nursing | Spring Summer 2021

racism, xenophobia, violence and hate we are
seeing across the country. Let us resolve to be
kinder and gentler.
A simple action that I encourage you to take
today is to help get Zipporah Parks Hammond -
our first Black nursing graduate - inducted into
the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame. Zippy's
sons have tried five times to get her inducted,
without success. It's about time to recognize
her for all of her achievements. Students are
leading the charge and have created a change.
org petition at www.change.org/InductZippy
It's at times like these that we need to make
things right like getting Zippy the recognition
she deserves. We also need to hug our loved
ones tight, cherish them, and remind ourselves
that love is and always will be stronger than
hate. It may seem hard to believe in this concept
right now, but as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
said, " Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only
light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate;
only love can do that. "
Stay safe and healthy,
Elias Provencio-Vasquez
PhD, RN, FAAN, FAANP

http://www.change.org/InductZippy

CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2021

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