As the first of three verdicts in trials involving racial/racialized violence has just come out (Kyle Rittenhouse's trial today, with the Charlottesville trial of the Unite the Right organizers and the trial of the men who killed Ahmaud Arbery anticipated within the next few days), this is a moment to be especially attentive to community and self-care. We encourage everyone to practice self-care as you choose how to consume news, and to practice community care as you're able to. We would also like to remind members of the UVA community that we are here for you at the Women's Center if there are ways we can helpfully support you and/or your communities. 

Processing the news in these moments is always difficult and is especially so as so many people have endured elevated levels of stress for many months now. Our counseling team has shared relevant insights in the past that members of our community struggling with difficult news have found helpful. If you would like further information about the process of absorbing, honoring, and attending to traumatic events, you can find that in this post from earlier this year.