Recent events and articles have reminded us of the divisions that exist throughout our world and on our campus. These instances remind us of the need to recommit to supporting every member of our community, ensuring that all people feel welcome in this place we call home.
In times when divisive discourse seems to have permeated every part of culture and society in our country, we stand firmly against hatred of any kind. Our Catholic beliefs instruct us to love one another unconditionally. Fundamental to living this out is understanding, recognizing and respecting the human dignity of each person.
No matter a person’s race, gender identity, sexual orientation, political ideology, religion, socioeconomic class or nationality, each person on this campus is a member of the Notre Dame community. Each person on this campus is a member of our Notre Dame family.
In the coming weeks, we will all be challenged to think about what it means to be Notre Dame. From the events of Race Relations Week to the Notre Dame Forum to Converge, we must reflect on our values and how we can work together as a student body to be a force for good on our campus and throughout the world.
We should not shy away from these uncomfortable conversations, but instead enthusiastically take up the opportunity to build a culture of encounter, learning from each other’s unique perspectives and working together towards the common good. To do so would be to truly respond to Blessed Basil Moreau’s call for us to educate both the mind and the heart.
As the Constitution of the Congregation of Holy Cross states: “we hope for a world where justice and love prevail” (2:12). As members of student government we will continue to work towards this goal by continuing our efforts with administrators and student groups to build a more inclusive campus for all.
Guided by the Spirit of Inclusion, let us all come together to “consciously create an environment of mutual respect, hospitality and warmth in which none are strangers and all may flourish.”
In Notre Dame,
Elizabeth Boyle
student body president, senior
Patrick McGuire
student body vice president, junior
Linde Hoffman
chief of staff, senior
Aaron Benavides
press secretary and director of communications, junior
Sept. 22
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
