CenterState CEO’s Simpson: Syracuse University hate-speech incidents “reprehensible”

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The recent incidents of hate speech at Syracuse University “are reprehensible, profoundly troubling and have no place in our community.”

Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO, made that comment in a statement the organization released Wednesday afternoon.

Simpson was reacting to the “deluge of hate speech and acts of overt bigotry and discrimination” that the campus community and its students have dealt with in recent days.

Simpson noted that CenterState CEO is “committed to supporting and working alongside” the campus community — its students, faculty, staff and administration — as well as other community leaders to “create greater understanding, tolerance and empathy for ALL” who call Syracuse University, the City of Syracuse and Central New York home.

“Those allied in this cause, as we are, have a collective responsibility to demonstrate universal condemnation of this behavior and to take action. We cannot and will not allow these voices of hate and bigotry to resonate more loudly than our voices of solidarity with those who are being targeted and oppressed,” said Simpson.

He also noted that CenterState CEO is “encouraged” that the board of trustees, Chancellor Syverud, and his leadership team have “committed to devoting the resources necessary to ensure accountability” for those responsible, as well as take the actions necessary to create confidence amongst its stakeholders that its campus community feels heard and safe.

Simpson’s comments also pointed to CenterState CEO’s vision statement, which speaks of “creating a place where business thrives and PEOPLE prosper.”

Simpson said the organization means that for ALL people, regardless of their creed, culture, ethnicity, religion, sexual-orientation, and “every other dimension of diversity that we can define.”

“Put simply, people cannot prosper when they are being actively attacked, discriminated against, marginalized or made to feel small, insignificant, unsafe or unwelcome. Therefore we summarily denounce these acts and the deep injustice being perpetrated directly on our community.”

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com