The UCLA math department joins math departments across the country in condemning the horrific killings, by police, of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and of others. We acknowledge that these killings cause particular pain for Black mathematicians and students, and for communities of color generally. We want to express our support for these communities, to the Black Lives Matter Movement, as well as to all individuals experiencing exclusion and violence.

Mathematics is a human endeavor, and can not be separated from the flows of history and society. It is no secret that the barriers for entry to careers in math are particularly high in communities of color. We celebrate the work of Black mathematicians and students at UCLA, and across the United States. As a department we are committed to the work of creating an inclusive space for everyone, and particularly for individuals who face discrimination or exclusion, on the basis of their skin color, ethnicity, background, gender or sexual orientation.

We encourage all members of the department — its faculty, staff and students — to involve themselves in initiatives that help to redefine and reshape the mathematical community and to combat racism, and to make mathematics inclusive to everyone. We have constituted a committee that will work toward this goal by examining our department climate, our admissions and student support, and our hiring and professional development processes. We welcome all feedback and suggestions on how to ensure an inclusive space in our department. You can come to one of our faculty office hours, or contact us through our Feedback Form.

To everyone who has doubted that they belong in math or at UCLA, we say: You matter. You belong. You are valued.