The Emory community is invited to sport blue and gold ribbons and wear black attire on Thursday, Aug. 28, in support of nonviolence and to remember victims of violence, including Ferguson, Missouri, teen Michael Brown.

Brown’s shooting death has sparked both national conversations and campus dialogue, observed Michael Shutt, who is interim director of Emory’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

The newly launched center now encompasses Emory’s Center for Women; the Office of International Student Life; the Office of LGBT Life; and the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services.

The campus-wide invitation to wear black clothing is sponsored through the joint efforts of Emory’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion, the Black Student Union and the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life.

“This was initiated to express our solidarity with Michael Brown’s family and other victims of violence,” explains Shutt.

“Emory is united in walking the path of nonviolence in response to injustice and conflict,” he says. “We also want to be seen as a touchpoint for bringing the community together in the future.”

Free blue and gold ribbons will be available at several locations around campus. They include:

• the Center for Women;
• the Office of International Student Life;
• the Office of LGBT Life;
• the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services;
• the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life; and
• the Office of Student Conduct.