A Letter from Stanford CLAS Director

I write to you with a heavy heart. As all of you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our life at Stanford University, our community in Santa Clara County, California, the United States, the Americas and the world. Our county has been one of the epicenters of the spread of the disease in the US, and as we "shelter in place", we pray that the measures that have been taken will hopefully save many lives. 

My heart goes to those who have lost loved ones, and all those that are vulnerable and suffering from isolation, loss of income and the fears and uncertainties of what is to come. 

The University took swift action, ensuring that students, faculty and staff were protected as the crisis unfolded. Trustworthy information and help were promptly provided to those who needed it, and the University took early and decisive actions to contribute to reduce the spread of contagion. 

I feel proud, and I believe all of us should be, of being part of such an exemplary institution. In these uncertain times, Stanford has stepped up to such unprecedented challenge. I am grateful to our leadership, to the scientists and experts that provided wise and timely advise, to the administrators that acted so decisively, to our medical providers, and to the thousands of staff, service employees (including janitors, food preparers and others), faculty and students who ensured that we were all safe, when a community response was most needed. I trust Stanford will embrace the larger community of workers that, while not directly employed by the university, are part of our community and also need their income to sustain themselves and their families. 

We have received messages from friends, colleagues, students and alumni with heartfelt well wishes. We thank you for keeping CLAS and Bolivar House so close to your hearts. 

Our wonderful staff has already transited into a new mode of work from home, preparing for a unique quarter in which all instruction will take place online. I see this challenge also as an opportunity, in which we may enhance the impact of our activities and scholarship, projecting learning and knowledge about Latin America beyond the confines of our campus. We are committed to maintain an education of excellence for our students and to continue actively engaging with our community of learning. 

As we move into the next few weeks and months, I want to remind all of us about the challenges that are still ahead, both in Latin America and the US. As our countries put in place strategies to respond to the crisis, we will need to be paying attention, and hopefully play an active role through our scholarship, to the dissemination of knowledge and successful experiences. I also hope that this crisis brings greater awareness to the social challenges in the Americas that, if anything, will become more acute and urgent as we move forward. Excluded Latin Americans, including refugees, immigrants, and indigenous peoples should be at the forefront of our priorities. 

As our mission statement states, "CLAS is committed to “promote the public welfare by exercising an influence in behalf of humanity and civilization” (Stanford University founding grant) and to advance scientific knowledge that strengthens social, economic and environmental justice, sustainability, inclusion and democracy in our hemisphere." I believe our community of MA students, alumni, affiliated faculty, Tinker and other visiting professors and lecturers, and in general the nurturing and caring broader community can and will play an important role in realizing such a commitment.

In closing, I want to share with you some words I recently reread, from the Oglagla Lakota leder Tȟašúŋke Witkó, more commonly known as Crazy Horse:

“Upon suffering beyond suffering; the Red Nation shall rise again, and it shall be a blessing for a sick world.

A world filled with broken promises, selfishness and separations.

A world longing for light again.

I see a time of seven generations when all the colors of mankind will gather under the sacred Tree of Life and the whole Earth will become one circle again.

In that day there will be those among the Lakota who will carry knowledge and understanding of unity among all living things, and the young white ones will come to those of my people and ask for this wisdom.

I salute the light within your eyes where the whole universe dwells.

For when you are at that center within you and I am in that place within me, we shall be as one.”.

The indigenous peoples of the Americas have a collective historical memory of epidemics. In their resilience and perseverance, there might be much we can learn. I wish we may take this opportunity to think about unexpected places and peoples that may inspire us, to let voices that have been silenced for so long be also heard. This is a time to rebalance and to reflect about what truly matters in the world.

Stay healthy, close to your loved ones, and connected to our community.

 Alberto Díaz-Cayeros

Senior Fellow, Center on Democracy, Development and Rule of Law

Director, Center for Latin American Studies

Stanford University