Council for Relationships’ Statement on the Murder of Tyre Nichols

Council for Relationships was devastated to learn of the killing of Tyre Nichols, who was murdered at the hands of police officers earlier this month in Memphis, Tennessee. We grieve the senseless loss of another Black man at the hands of law enforcement and we stand with communities across the nation echoing the message: enough is enough. Council for Relationships stands against racism and injustice in our community, the nation, and the world. We are committed to continuing our personal and organizational work on racial equity and justice to be a part of blocking systems of oppression, advocating for change, and rallying to support communities to create a world of equity and belonging.

For many, the killing of Tyre Nichols is a deeply traumatizing or re-traumatizing event with layers of emotions including anger, sadness, and grief. When we are experiencing trauma and grief, we need to slow down and treat ourselves with compassion. We must experience our feelings and open ourselves to the support of others with whom we are in community with. If you are feeling overwhelmed by what you are feeling and need additional support, you are not alone. We are here to support you.

We also want to share this video of Dr. Thema Bryant, developed by the American Psychological Association, which is helpful in understanding what you might be experiencing, and identifying some steps that you can take.