SWCA Statement on the Death of Tyre Nichols

February 1, 2023 

Dear Members,

As we prepare to hold our conference in Memphis next week, the Southeastern Writing Center Association acknowledges the tragic death of Tyre Nichols and the tremendous grief his family, friends, and community are experiencing. SWCA is committed to furthering discussions that advance a mission of social and racial justice, and we stand with those negatively affected by oppression and brutality. 

Much of the work of writing centers is holistic, focusing on empowering writers to amplify and share their voices, and it is important that we support this not just in our academic spaces, but everywhere, in all aspects of life. When SWCA convenes, we will do so with the heaviness of Tyre Nichols's death weighing on our hearts. The senseless, violent, premature end to his life reminds us of our responsibility to the community. Thus, through peaceful discourse, we will continue working to sow the seeds of inclusion and respect for all voices, especially the voices of people of color.

All the best,

The SWCA Board