Statement of Solidarity from the UT Asian/Asian American, Black, Hispanic and Pride and Equity Faculty and Staff Associations regarding recent events.
The Asian/Asian American Faculty Staff Association, Black Faculty Staff Association, Hispanic Faculty Staff Association, and Pride and Equity Faculty Staff Association of the University of Texas at Austin strongly condemn the acts of hatred, violence, and racism that have recently occurred on the campus of the University of Virginia by white supremacists, the Alt-Right, the KKK, so-called neo-Nazis, and other extremist groups.
We also support the decision of the University of Texas at Austin to remove statues of confederate leaders from the main mall of the campus that stand as symbols of modern white supremacy. The removal of the statues provides an opportunity to advance awareness and discussion of the history of white supremacy without honoring or celebrating that history.
The memberships of our four associations stand in solidarity with the community of Charlottesville, the University of Virginia, and all other communities that have been the targets of lethal violence due to ignorance, hate-filled rhetoric, and harmful ideologies that are an affront to democracy, civil liberties and human rights that we collectively cherish and enjoy. As faculty and staff members that work in higher education, we are uniquely aware of the important role that our institutions have in advancing equality, civil discourse and nurturing spaces of growth and learning for all. We join hands with colleagues across the University of Texas and across the nation in affirming these responsibilities to our students, faculty, staff, and all the stakeholders we serve.
As well, we call upon the campus community to take seriously the threat posed by the renewed legitimization of white supremacist ideology and actions during this political moment, and to work together towards challenging it at every turn.
Signed,
Asian/Asian American Faculty Staff Association
Black Faculty Staff Association