The most meaningful statements are actions

The Harry Ransom Center community mourns the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Michael Ramos, and the countless other victims of police violence and institutional racism. We condemn in the strongest terms the police brutality and racial injustice directed toward people of color, and affirm that Black Lives Matter.

We condemn all forms of racism, implicit and explicit, in our institutions, in our city, and in our nation. As a research library and museum committed to the humanities, we believe the humanities have an essential role to play in fostering greater understanding and appreciation of our common humanity and of the inherent obligations we have to one another.

During this time and beyond, we are mindful of our interconnectedness, and we are committed to listening, dialogue, engagement, and the sustained compassionate action needed to bring systemic change to our institution and our community.

The most meaningful statements are actions and during this moment of great pain, the Ransom Center will work to amplify the voices calling for social justice even as we seek meaningful ways to create the more inclusive and just community we need.

Stephen Enniss, Director
Harry Ransom Center

 

What are our actions?

The Ransom Center Diversity & Inclusion Committee: work includes promoting a respectful and inclusive environment for staff, volunteers, researchers, students, and visitors. The committee is guiding the institution in the development of new ways to reach diversity recruitment goals, to create a platform for topical museum and archives related discussions, and to find continuing education opportunities that increase awareness and empower staff members to create and maintain a diverse and inclusive environment.

A list of resources that continue to inform our actions:

Center for Innovation in Race, Teaching, and Curriculum conducts research and professional learning around topics of knowledge and race in a variety of educational spaces, including educational policy, teacher practice, and school curriculum.

UT Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice, & Diversity, a committee that serves as steward of this facet of the College of Education’s mission.

Critical Media Project, a  free media literacy web resource for educators and students that enhances young people’s critical thinking and empathy, and builds on their capacities to advocate for change around questions of identity.

Anti-Racism Resources for All Ages, curated by Nicole Cooke, School of Library and Information Science, University of South Carolina.

Archives for Black Lives suggests revisiting how we hire, secure sources of funding, pay consultants, and advocate against police violence.

Society of American Archivists, a call to action that archivists must work to combat racism and fight for social justice within organizations and its Core Values Statement and Code of Ethics.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion information from the Association of Research Libraries.