Dear Friends,
The Gender Equality Initiative in International Affairs (GEIA) educates and advocates on behalf of human rights, gender equity, peace and justice. We share in the sadness, frustration, and anger caused by the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade as well as the many other lives lost from the Black community through hatred and violence. We join with the leadership of the Elliott School to condemn racism and discrimination.
In the words of Interim Dean, Ilana Feldman, “We acknowledge the pain and stress that our
Black community is experiencing as these names are now added to the list of countless lives
ended far too early. We will not be silent. We will call out these egregious acts by their name: racism. The Elliott School condemns racism and discrimination and remains committed to fostering an inclusive community. Our school’s mission is focused on advancing the understanding of global issues. We cannot turn a blind eye to what is happening within our country, its impact on our community members, or its connection to the human rights issues we seek to better understand each day.”
Read Dean Feldman’s full statement (PDF).
Tomorrow, Friday June 5th, the Elliott School’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion will hold space for our community to process these recent tragedies. If you are a GW community member who would like to participate in this meeting, please email esiainclusion@gwu.edu. Find more information about the work of the Diversity and Inclusion Council and the resources and support they provide.
We are also sharing below some useful resources to inform, educate and advocate on behalf of anti-racism and to transform inequities. We will continue to listen to your voices and amplify your messages through our community discussions and publications. Please let us know how we can be of further support to you.
In solidarity,
The Gender Equality Initiative in International Affairs
Organizations
Color of Change
Black Lives Matter
Avaaz (sign the public open letter against racism and police brutality)
Books
By Ibram X. Kendi:
How to Be an Antiracist
Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
Antiracist Baby (forthcoming June 16, 2020)
By Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds:
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
By Austin Channing Brown:
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness
Podcasts and Web Series
The Next Question
A web series imagining how expansive racial justice can be
Unlocking Us – How to Be an Antiracist
June 3rd Episode with Brené Brown and Ibram X. Kendi
