WOMEN'S COLLECTIONS SECTION ANTI-RACISM STATEMENT

The Women's Collections Section echoes the statement issued by SAA in mourning the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony Mcdade, Regis Korchinski-Paquet, as well as the loss of countless other Black lives, and condemn the continued state-sanctioned violence against and persecution of the Black community at the hands of the police. Furthermore, we stand in support of the justified outrage reflected in the ensuing protests that have now occurred in all 50 states across this country.

As a Section, we are committed to both our organization's core values and the WCS's values of equity and inclusion for our community, and seek to further advocate and ensure care and protection for Black archivists, Black archives, and the Black community. We demand justice for our Black Section members, Society members, colleagues, and all those affected by anti-Black violence, and we hold space for the trauma that results from this violence. We pledge to actively dismantle structural racism and call on our White members to take the lead in the efforts to make our profession one of inclusion, and one which centers the voices of Black people and all people of color. These efforts must be a daily occurrence if we are to eradicate the systems of oppression at the very root of our nation. We acknowledge that these statements and actions are long overdue.

Black Lives Matter.

June 2020