Annual Report Feb 16 2021

Statement Against Racism
As followers of Jesus Christ and public health educators, we condemn racism in all its forms. These
forms include structural racism—power inequalities perpetuated in our society that systematically confer
advantage and privilege on the dominant racial group at the expense of oppressed racial groups—as well
as interpersonal racism—explicit attitudes of prejudice and actions of discrimination between individuals.
We hold that all forms of racism are inconsistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ. We accept moral
responsibility to identify and eliminate racism in processes, laws, organizational attitudes, and interpersonal
relations, including in our own institutions and in ourselves. We strive to uphold Jesus Christ’s teachings by
treating all people with love, respect, kindness, and dignity and by promoting inclusion, justice, and equity.
Structural racism is a public health crisis. It affects many aspects of health and well-being and is a
fundamental cause of persistent racial health disparities rooted in unfair disadvantage based on race, color,
position, and resources. Structural racism is pervasive in interconnected sectors of society that affect
health including housing, education, employment, health services, law enforcement, and criminal justice.
As a public health program, we are committed to being proactive in anti-racism and promoting learning
in the classroom, at the university, and in the community that will advance health equity, eliminate health
disparities, and lift individuals, families, and communities from the hostile effects of racism. To this end,
we will take the following actions:
• Listen and seek to understand the experiences and perspectives of Black, Indigenous, and People
of Color (BIPOC) students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
• Continually examine our own implicit biases and participate in continuing education and training
related to diversity, inclusion, and racism.
• Create inclusive environments in and out of the classroom where people of all backgrounds feel
welcomed and heard, offensive racial comments are not acceptable, and inspired teaching and
meaningful conversations against racism can unify and change minds and hearts.
• Implement a coordinated curriculum in BYU’s public health courses integrating cultural humility
and topics related to diversity, inclusion, and racism.
• Address racism as a critical issue in our public health research and practice.
• Advocate for racial equity in our communities.
• Request periodic external evaluation of our ongoing efforts.
We believe that acting against racism gives us opportunities to understand each other better, to learn
together, and to change unjust systems and structures that segregate America’s BIPOC from upward
mobility, opportunity, and health. As we seek solutions to the injustice of racism, we wholeheartedly echo
the words of President Russell M. Nelson, Derrick Johnson, Leon Russell, and The Reverend Amos C.
Brown:
“Answers to racism, prejudice, discrimination and hate will not come from government or law
enforcement alone. Solutions will come as we open our hearts to those whose lives are different than our
own, as we work to build bonds of genuine friendship, and as we see each other as the brothers and sisters
we are—for we are all children of a loving God” (Locking Arms for Racial Harmony in America, jointly
authored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the NAACP, 2020).
Endorsed by Department of Public Health Faculty and Staff July 2020
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