For the past few days, I've been trying to find the right words to describe how I feel. As a white man, I don't know what it is like to feel racism. I do know that it continues to exist.

In our house, this has been much of what we have discussed in the past few days. We ask ourselves how can we help; how can we grow?  I was raised to have an open mind, open eyes, listening ears, and an open heart. So, while I search for answers, I know many others are as well.

I would like to share with you some of my thoughts that will be part of my statement to the Hofstra community.

As a program, we have made a commitment to celebrate diversity while creating a culture of inclusion. It is our goal to make everyone feel welcome. Hofstra is a place that celebrates our differences and allows us to learn from each other. 

The tragic murder of George Floyd not only demonstrates the racism inherent in a particular incident, but it also highlights the racism that has permeated our society for centuries. People are angry. They are upset, they are moved. We all should be.

I know that people are hurt by the pervasiveness of racism in everyday life. Anti-racism activist Jane Elliott has said, "Racism is a learned affliction and anything that is learned can be unlearned." Our aforementioned commitments intersect with our commitment to our role in the unlearning of racism, as well as our desire to doing better. 

I recognize that my struggles have never been a result of my race. We can all try to identify the role that racism plays in all of our lives. Having open and honest conversations as a community to understand the struggle in its roots and potential solutions is just one of the ways we can do better. It is our responsibility to be the catalyst for change.

We will be hosting a conversation with Hofstra Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Cornell Craig for student-athletes and staff. Details will soon follow and I hope you will join us. Please encourage your student-athletes and staff to participate. Please check in on your student-athletes to see how they are doing and keep the dialogue open - so we can learn, grow, and help. Now more than ever we must remain committed to making a difference. We will continue to work with and support our students, staff, and the Hofstra community.

With Pride,
Rick Cole Jr.
Vice President and Director of Athletics
Hofstra University