02/07/2026
A Statement from OGS Chancellor, Dr. David Anderson:
At a time when people across our country should be caught up in celebrating Black History Month, we are instead seeing the legacy of racism on full display in the highest office of our country. The pain that this causes and the outrage that follows echo the generations of people who have struggled, fought, and held on to hope for a better future. This is not an isolated moment that can be minimized as a mistake. This is not a joke that went too far. One of the reasons this hurts so deeply is because it is not surprising to see this as the headline story of today.
We have gotten used to being told to look past mean-spirited words spoken against minorities. It has become common to be given excuses to justify actions, words, and posts that are nothing less than abusive. We need to examine whether the high values that so many of us claim in our faith, our families, and to be at the foundation of our freedom are becoming less and less important in our public discourse and treatment of our neighbors. We can not claim to value love in our personal lives yet overlook the hate around us.
If there was ever a time for Gracism, now is that time.
You might be looking for your own personal way to stand for what is right when others are trying to minimize what is wrong. Let me offer three Gracism principles to be your guide.
1. I will STAND with you. This saying of a Gracist can speak volumes to those who feel like they are fighting their battles all alone. Find a way to your voice to denounce the abuse and your physical presence to show your support.
2. I will HEAL with you. This saying of a Gracist sees empathy and compassion as the starting line. True collective healing from wounds like the ones we see being inflicted, includes knowing that you hear the cries of their pain and it moves you to a genuine heartbreak to see your brother and sister being treated this way.
3. I will CELEBRATE with you. This saying of a Gracist is something that should not be forgotten at this moment. Black History Month is a time when the achievements of Black Americans, cultural beauty, and stories of overcoming can be uplifted and celebrated in a way that communicates dignity, value, and brotherhood.
I commend you to this critical, challenging, and deeply valuable work of Gracism.
Lift, Cover, Share, Honor, Stand, Consider, Celebrate, Heal. Dont be a racist, be a Gracist.
