Skidmore holds vigil for peace and justice

Amid demands for justice and calls for peace and unity throughout the country, the Skidmore community gathered to seek solace and urge change following the shooting of Jacob Blake.

President Marc C. Conner joined College administrators and faculty for an online vigil Thursday, Aug. 27, to recognize the latest in a series of violent acts against Black people that have sparked nationwide protests and appeals for racial justice and police reform.

The president acknowledged efforts by students and the College to address bias and seek justice. He also noted that he would unveil the College’s Initiative on Racial Justice on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

“How we channel our energy into meaningful and necessary change is vital,” said Conner, noting that the Skidmore community was unable to hold an in-person gathering due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “As we know, these are not normal times. And so we gather as we are able — virtually and sometimes separately — but it is important to gather and to recognize we are not alone.
“We turn to each other. Our strength lies in community. Our hope lies in community.”

Tim Harper, associate professor and chair of the Management and Business Department, spoke about the challenge of enacting change and finding hope in the current environment.
“How do we move forward when the world around us seems to be moving backward?” Harper asked. “I ask that we hang onto each other. There is strength in unity.”

Harper called on members of the Skidmore community “to find the positive people who can encourage us on a daily basis,” to support groups fighting for justice and to seek inspiration from heroes and proponents of change.

“I look for us gathered to be champions, for us to be heroes,” Harper said.

Parker Diggory, director of religious and spiritual life, led the Skidmore community in a moment of silence, “in hope for Jacob Blake and his family, in grief with those who mourn, in condemnation of racism and the violence and trauma that it causes, and with the hopes and pains known to this community and each of us.”

President Conner closed the vigil by saying he and his spouse, Barbara Reyes-Conner, would light two candles in the windows of their residence, Scribner House, each evening this semester as “a small symbol of hope and light for us all during this troubled time.”
“We leave tonight knowing that we are not alone,” President Conner said. “We are a community. That is our strength.”