We are outraged and deeply saddened by the recent police brutality and egregious killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless other Black people who have experienced unjust attacks in the U.S. These acts are evidence of systemic racism, white supremacy, heteropatriarchy, and anti-trans violence in our society. The recent deaths and racialized violence call attention to centuries of chattel slavery and the subsequent marginalization of people that is magnified in our workplaces, institutions of education, legal systems, and politic arenas.  
 
The events of the past few weeks come in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic stress in which Black people, other people of color, and disenfranchised members of our society have been disproportionately ravaged by illness, death, and economic insecurity. The injustices of the global pandemic are stark with a large proportion of deaths and illness from the novel coronavirus occurring in communities that have inadequate access to health care, housing, living wage jobs, and other conditions that put them at higher risk in this pandemic.
 
As members of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program at Iowa State University, we abhor the police brutality and institutional racism that surrounds us. We vow to combat these injustices and educate our community about liberating paths to social justice, anti-racism, and gender equity. Prejudice, privilege, and discrimination reflect systems and everyday manifestations of violence that we work hard to change. These goals require ethical and compassionate leadership in our communities and institutions. Our mission is to educate, engage in outreach, and challenge ourselves and others to reflect deeply on our own positionality in society.
 
Our support for these principles involves action. We, therefore, commit to the following practices to continue our support for social justice.  

Let us all engage in reflective and intentional dialogues with each other. These conversations are sorely needed during times of crisis such as these and will lead to a more just future for all people. Speak up, share your ideas and experiences, protest the injustices in our communities, and fight for anti-racism in society.
 
In addition to the ISU Principles of Community, this Anti-Racist Resource Guide written by Victoria Alexander, M.Ed. is a useful set of materials and organizations that combat racism. (Thanks to Melissa Miller, Chair, University Committee for the Advancement of Women and Gender Equity who provided this link.)
We look forward to continuing this conversation and dialogue with you as together we pave the way for a future where we all can thrive and live without fear or hatred.  
Please contact us and post on our social media with your thoughts, ideas, and action!
 
Faculty and Staff
Women’s and Gender Studies Program, Iowa State University