Author: Ashley Barnes-Gilbert

UWW WGS Black Lives Matter Solidarity Statement

The Women’s and Gender Studies program stands in solidarity with those who protest against racist violence, white supremacy, and police brutality. We are heartbroken and incensed by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the countless other Black women, men, transgender and non-binary individuals who have had their lives cut short due to systemic racist violence. As feminist and social justice educators, we are resolute in our commitment to teach about anti-racism at its intersections with gender expression and identity, sexuality, class, ability status and more. We acknowledge the deep-rooted pain of the Black community and all people of color due to the centuries long history of racism in the US and will continue to fight for justice by educating ourselves, our colleagues, our community and our students; by reading and learning about the experiences, ideas, cultural production, and labor of people of color; by empowering all anti-racist allies to translate thought into informed action, including ourselves; and by following the lead of community organizers of color in supporting anti-racist work in our communities.