Good morning Highline College,

This week, the Supreme Court made two landmark decisions that will protect millions of people in our country.

On Monday, the LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Pansexual, Transgender, Two-Spirit, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, Ally) community awoke to learn employers will no longer be able to discriminate against them due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Today, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients, and those who are eligible, learned this vital program will continue on, despite repeated attempts to dismantle it. DACA is an immigration policy that provides work permits and temporary protection from deportation for immigrants who came to the United States as children without documentation, also known as “Dreamers.” Next step to provide permanent resident status – passing of the Dream and Promise Act, a current Senate bill.

Both Dreamers and LGBTQIA folks live within our Highline community. They are our staff members, faculty members, our students. They are Highline family, and I fully support and continue to celebrate them during this momentous week.

While we applaud these recent Supreme Court decisions, it is also important to remember we are still in crisis. Systemic racism at all levels remains, and we still have work to do to ensure it is eradicated. If you haven’t already, please read our Anti-Racism Library Guide and contribute your book recommendations, articles, speeches/presentations and own statements of solidarity.  And continue to have conversations, often difficult ones that not only just discuss these problems but commit to a different mindset, thinking and action.

I also recognize the work that has been done and appreciate you all for your continued fight for social justice and equity. The futures of many depend on it.

Stay safe and be kind,
John

John R. Mosby, Ph.D.
President
Highline College
jmosby@highline.edu