A Message From Bruce Rasmussen

Last week I watched the video of the senseless murder of George Floyd and have spent the past week trying to find the right words regarding this latest act of injustice, but adequate words have failed me. I am heartbroken, I am outraged, I am angry, I am frustrated. I am white, I am privileged. I cannot say that I understand the systemic racism that has gone on in our country during my lifetime but I know that it is real. I know people are judged and treated based on the community they are from and the color of their skin. I have been a part of the problem. I have not listened enough to understand. I have been able to reach levels of success without hearing or engaging people of color. I know everyone matters to God but I must also be willing to live out this understanding every day. Why do we think that a person is more valuable because of the color of his or her skin, or the size of their bank account, or the number of their possessions?? God says that each of us is valuable because we are each a part of Him, made in His image.

Our country was formed with the motto "e pluribus unum" - "out of many, one" - and 250 years later, we remain so very, very far from this ideal. We need to celebrate diversity, not criticize it. My generation has not done enough to solve these issues. We have been too silent and have not done enough to end the senseless violence and brutality. We have not talked enough about the harm institutional racism has done to people of color. This pandemic has disproportionately affected black people in health and economic ways much harder than others, and many of their cries for justice are being met with indifference or brutality. However, I am encouraged by this current younger generation. I need to better use my position as a leader of young men and women to talk with them about how I can bring change. We have to be brave enough to be different and start discussing radical topics such as humility and gratitude and compassion and patience and forgiveness.

Jesus constantly ministered to those who were excluded, marginalized, neglected, judged, abused….we need to do the same. We are all brothers and sisters. We need to do more…we need to be more. We need to do whatever we can to preserve the dignity and respect that every brother or sister deserves. We need to listen - to actively listen - we cannot begin to learn until we learn to listen better and to promote a respect for every person regardless of their color, religion, political affiliation, beliefs or economic condition. We cannot ignore the violence against people of color in our country. We need to eliminate racism from our society. We need to work together for peace, for mutual respect and for love for all of God's children. We need to change people's hearts. We can have diverse perspectives and still love and respect each other.

It must start with me. I must humble myself. I must defeat my pride and recognize that everyone is valuable and better than me in some way with abilities to provide unique contributions or perspectives. It will take gratitude - an appreciation of what I do have and an understanding that God put us here for a purpose. And it will take compassion - a willingness to reach out to each person I meet and demonstrate that I care for them enough to be willing to help.

Father Hendrickson's message from Sunday says that "The Spirit calls Creighton to do more". We must change. We need to be better than this….I must change…I need to be better than this.

Bruce Rasmussen
McCormick Endowed Director of Athletics

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