Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020.
RE: Statement of Solidarity with the University of Toronto Black Students’ Association
The University of Toronto Students’ Union Executive would like to express its support for the statement issued by the University of Toronto Black Students’ Association (BSA) on Sunday, May 30th, 2020. Please find the statement from the BSA here: https://tinyurl.com/y8nox342. We stand unequivocally in support of Black students and the Black community during this time, and always.
We offer our deepest condolences to the families and communities of Black individuals killed by police brutality, namely Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Kenneth Walker, D’Andre Campbell, Sean Reed, Steve Taylor, Tony McDade, George Floyd, Regis Korchinski-Paquet, and the countless others who have been victims of anti-Black police violence over the years.
Anti-Black racism is a systemic issue that transcends borders and remains deeply ingrained within our own communities to this day. We recognize that the colonial systems of power in our society perpetuate acts of violence and disproportionately endanger Black lives. In the last few days, we have felt the impacts of this close to home with the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, as well as the global outcry over the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police. We understand that, although these events took place only recently, the greater injustices experienced by the Black community have persisted within our society for much longer, and require collective action to overcome.
We must work towards actively decolonizing the spaces we inhabit and that begins within our own homes and campus community. Our Black students, peers, and colleagues deserve to feel safe on campus, and that comes with holding the University accountable for its own practices.
As such, with the safety and value of our Black students in mind, we call on the University to:
- Reevaluate the implementation of Campus Police to ensure that Black students and other marginalized students are not faced with further intimidation and disenfranchisement on campus. As well, focus on limiting and/or prohibiting the presence of Campus Police at student-led programming and events, unless otherwise requested by those students.
- Urge the University of Toronto Campus Police to issue an apology to students, acknowledging their historically unjust behaviour towards Black, Indigenous, and other racialized and marginalized students.
- Implement and prioritize anti-racism, equity, and de-escalation training for all on-campus bodies (including Campus Police, if its organizational presence is to be continued on campus) to ensure that every student and concern is approached with care, safety, and sensitivity.
- Expand and fund mental health initiatives and resources catered towards the BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ communities on campus, understanding that there are currently not enough resources from the University that meet the needs of Black and other marginalized students.
- Reevaluate its hiring and admissions practices to ensure that Black individuals are being hired and welcomed into our campus in an equitable and representative manner. We have seen a historic lack of representation within faculties and classrooms of Black voices, academics, and students thus far and the University must renew its policies to reflect the diversity within our community.
The above calls to action are part of a preliminary list of concerns that encompass merely a fraction of the systemic and institutional barriers that Black students, and other marginalized students, face on campus. While we believe that it is in no way complete or comprehensive in nature at this time, we are currently collaborating with the UofT Black Students’ Association to develop more concrete plans and tangible steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Black students on our campus going forward.
As an organization, we recognize our own privilege and voice in these situations and are committed to supporting our Black students and student leaders in their calls for justice. We also acknowledge the UTSU’s past in addressing its own institutional anti-Black racism which has persisted within our union for far too long. We would like to sincerely apologize for any harm our organization has ever caused, and any and all anti-Black sentiments or actions that have ever occurred up to this point. As Executives, we are committed to continually reevaluating and renewing our intentions and practices to best serve the community and work towards dismantling the systemic issues that exist within our organization.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude and support to the University of Toronto Black Students’ Association (BSA) for their continued strength and leadership during this time. As per our Memorandum of Agreement, the UTSU will continue to work with the BSA in creating a cohesive and united community of Black students at UofT, and providing venues for which Black students may address issues that are prevalent and pertinent to the Black student experience.
We also urge our members to take actionable steps towards change and access the following list of resources compiled by the BSA that point towards mental health initiatives for the Black community, avenues for support, and additional links to community resources. Please find the link here: https://tinyurl.com/y8hn7fo2. We also encourage our non-Black members who are using their voices at this time to be aware of their privilege and the space they occupy when speaking on the unjust experiences of the Black community. As well, we ask that everyone remain respectful online and refrain from sharing triggering and/or graphic content on social media that may impact the mental health and wellbeing of Black students and individuals.
We understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for many members of our community. The UTSU is committed to providing support, listening to students, and uplifting the voices of those at the margins of our society. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
In Solidarity,
The UTSU Executive | executives@utsu.ca | 416-978-4911
12 Hart House Circle, Toronto, ON. M5S 3J9 utsu.ca
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