Statement from CCE Director Chris Watkins regarding the shooting in Buffalo
Once again, we are reminded of the death, destruction, and suffering borne out of white supremacy and white nationalism. This time the neighborhood under assault was not some far-off community in Texas, Michigan, or California, but rather a community in our own backyard – Buffalo, New York. The unsuspecting targets of this latest racist hate crime were everyday folks going about their everyday existence in a local supermarket. The people who call the predominantly Black neighborhood on the East Side of Buffalo home were targeted at the Tops Supermarket and singled out because they were Black.
Cornell Cooperative Extension strongly denounces this past Saturday’s racist
hate crime in which 10 people were murdered and three others wounded in one of
the only grocery stores on Buffalo’s East Side. We extend our condolences to
the families of those gunned down by an 18-year-old white man with a heart
filled with hate and a mind consumed with the poison of white supremacy and
racism. And while our hearts and prayers are with all of those impacted by this
heinous act of violence, we recognize that hearts and prayers alone will not
counteract the disease of white supremacy and racism intent on eliminating
Black lives, Black excellence, and Black joy.
It is with a deep understanding of the impact of the latter that we will
continue to challenge the racist rhetoric, fearmongering, and scapegoating that
fueled this deadly assault. We will continue to actively undo the living legacy
of white supremacy and its day-to-day manifestations through our ongoing
anti-racist work as an organization. It is through the challenging work of
transforming hearts and minds, behaviors, and holding ourselves accountable to
communities of color, that we will uproot white supremacy, dismantle structural
racism, and achieve long-lasting change rooted in dignity, respect, and equity
for all members of our community. We exhort all CCE staff to actively engage
with and contribute to our ongoing efforts to create a beloved community of
relationship, dialogue, and understanding.
We are currently working with the College of Agriculture and Life Science
(CALS), Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County and Niagara County to
coordinate food distribution efforts to individuals in the East Buffalo neighborhood
impacted by this tragedy.
Below, we honor the memory of the victims of this hate crime by sharing the
names of those who died as provided by Peace of the
City. Please also find resources on how we can support the
community of East Buffalo, increase awareness and understanding of the dynamics
that contributed to this racist mass shooting – including resources for talking
with children, and opportunities to take immediate action:
Aaron Salter Jr., 55
A retired police lieutenant who spent decades with the Buffalo Police
Department. While working as a security guard at the Tops store, he engaged the
shooter's assault weapon with his handgun.
Ruth Whitfield, 86
Was shopping at the Tops store when she was shot and killed. Her
daughter, Robin, described her mother as her best friend.
Pearl Young, 77
Was grocery shopping after grabbing lunch with her sister-in-law when she was
shot and killed.
Katherine 'Kat' Massey,
72
A civil rights and education advocate.
Roberta A. Drury, 32
Moved back to Buffalo to help her brother recover from a bone marrow transplant
necessary to beat his cancer.
Heyward Patterson, 67
A deacon at a Buffalo church and had gone to a soup kitchen before going to the
Tops store. Pastor Russell Bell of State Tabernacle Church of God in Christ
said Bell cleaned the church and would do whatever was needed.
Celestine Chaney, 65
A breast cancer survivor, which is prompting her family to ask people to wear
pink ribbons in her honor. She shopped twice a month with her only son, Wayne
Jones.
Andre Mackneil, 53
From Auburn, New York, and was in town visiting relatives and was picking up a
surprise birthday cake for his grandson.
Geraldine Talley, 62
Worked as an executive assistant for years; "loved everybody" and was
an amazing sister, mother, and aunt.
Margus D. Morrison, 52
A father of three and Buffalo Public School bus aide.
Sincerely,
Chris
Chris B. Watkins
Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Associate Dean of College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and College of
Human Ecology
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Last updated May 24, 2022