'Together we can continue to foster an anti-racism framework'

Dear colleagues,

As many of you are aware, campuses across Canada and the United States have been called to action on September 9 and 10 to bring attention to racism and violence against members of Black and Indigenous communities.

These two days are an opportunity for all of us at Concordia to reflect on systemic racism and how, as educators, we can best work together in creating a more just society and a future of real possibility for all.

We encourage faculty to participate in these two days of action by bringing these important conversations into the classroom. As an institution, Concordia has championed a number of initiatives in support of decolonization and anti-racism training, but the work is far from done. Together we can continue to foster an anti-racism framework which reflects our individual and collective values.

Concordia will be participating in this transnational movement with a panel on organizing anti-racism activities at the university today, September 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. The panel is coordinated by Black Perspectives Initiative coordinator Annick Maugile Flavien, and will feature researchers and staff from across the university. We invite you to take part; please click here for the Facebook Live link.

Support for diverse communities has always been a strength and core value at Concordia. This is an important time to continue our discussions around racism and the essential role universities must play in combatting it.

Best wishes for the coming term,

Anne Whitelaw
Interim Provost and Vice-President, Academic