A long history of overt and systemic racism led to the tragic death of George Floyd and many others before him and continues to be a global call to action. The protests in Minneapolis spread throughout the United States and around the world. It rightly reached us here in Canada and in Nova Scotia.
This global movement calls on all of us to acknowledge and speak out against racism that exists in every country and society to this day.
It exists explicitly in violence and hate, but it can also exist in more subtle, but equally troubling ways, through our institutions, laws, and practices. Racism in all its forms – both explicit and systemic – must be condemned and it must be fought. This is the responsibility of every citizen.
It is part of our history and we need to acknowledge that.
It continues to exist, and we must also acknowledge that.
It did and does exist here in Nova Scotia, and we must acknowledge that.
Even before the death of George Floyd sparked a global call to action, African Nova Scotians and Black Canadians continued to be placed at systemic disadvantages and continued to face disproportionate socio-economic hardships.
I am also not blind to the challenges here at Saint Mary’s University. No institution or university is immune from this charge, but we are committed to doing better. Our leadership here promises that we will lead by example.
Earlier this year, we struck a Standing Committee on the Prevention of Racism, a key recommendation of an earlier ad hoc committee. Among other recommendations from the ad hoc committee, the current committee has a key mandate to raise awareness and oversee the implementation of other recommendations, including:
The recent successful hiring of a full-time African Nova Scotian/Black Student & Community Liaison staff position. This role will help us better support Black students on campus.
We commit to holding more workshops to help educate and combat racism.
We will revise our Code of Conduct to ensure it clearly addresses issues of racism.
We commit to developing a retention strategy focused on Indigenous and racialized students.
We commit to education and training to ensure we can identify, report, investigate and respond to incidents of racialized discrimination on campus
We commit to recruiting more racialized faculty and staff members
These are just some of the action items from the committee’s report we will move on.
As place of learning, our mission is to help educate the next generation of engaged citizens and ethical leaders. We must reflect and hold onto that mission now more than ever. The diversity of our student body is a source of pride and we are working harder to ensure our university and its structures reflect that diversity.
My heart goes out to the families of George Floyd and to all of those who are impacted by this insidious societal force. Many of us feel this way. Our feelings are not enough, nor are our words. We must act against racism and stand in solidarity with our Black colleagues and students.
We have had many discussions prior to the recent tragedies, and we will continue to have these discussions. Throughout this week, we have had many conversations internally to decide what actions were needed and to ensure we could make commitments to our community. To those who participated in those discussions – thank you. We are committed to continuing the discussions and dialogues to ensure we can meet the needs of our African Nova Scotian and Black students.
To members of the Saint Mary’s University family who are struggling right now, please know that we are here for you. You can access mental health resources and you will be given the support you need. Even while many of us are working from home, please know that you are not alone. Please reach out.
Today’s calls for justice are the result of a long and unacceptable history. In this moment, we must decide what happens next. We are committed to systemic change. We need each of you to share that commitment.
This is what we owe one another.
Resources
Here is a list of suggested books:
The Skin We're In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power (Desmond Cole):
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/536075/the-skin-were-in-by-desmond-cole/9780385686341
Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present (Robyn Maynard): https://robynmaynard.com/policing-black-lives/
Me and White Supremacy (Layla F. Saad): https://www.meandwhitesupremacybook.com/
So you want to talk about race? (Ijeoma Oluo): http://www.ijeomaoluo.com/
If you want to speak to children about this issue, here is a link that has been shared by the Black Educators Association here in Halifax to educate children about racism.
Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray
President and Vice-Chancellor