Statement on Racial Injustice and Systemic Discrimination
Dear 91社区 DISE Community,
Recent events have cast important light on the racial injustice and systemic discrimination that exists in today鈥檚 world. The killing of George Floyd in the US, as well as numerous other acts of racialized violence in the US and Canada necessitate our ongoing examination of how racism and social inequality remain deeply rooted in our society. I wish to convey our department鈥檚 sincere and steadfast commitment to enacting 91社区鈥檚 core values of equity and inclusiveness鈥攁 commitment that includes ongoing efforts to root-out both direct and indirect prejudices that exist in our own communities.
DISE is reflecting carefully about the work needed to challenge systemic racism within our campuses. In addition to implementing and upholding anti-racism directives from the University and Faculty, our efforts will include striking a DISE task force charged with advancing department-specific recommendations for improving equity and inclusiveness in our community.
In closing, I wish to echo Dean Rassier鈥檚 earlier comments that, 鈥渁s members of the Faculty of Education, we help to shape society through our teaching and research.鈥� In DISE, our teaching and research directly concerns inclusion and the well-being of our communities. As such, we must take an active role in promoting inclusiveness; social and racial equality; and diversity as our strengths.
Sincerely,
Dr. Steve Jordan
Chair, Department of Integrated Studies in Education
