G+JI Statement of Solidarity

The Gender⁺ Justice Initiative is saddened and outraged by the systemic violence and police brutality that continue to ravage Black life. We stand in solidarity with those grieving and demanding justice for the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and the countless Black men, women, children/adolescents, transgender and gender non-conforming people who have died from racially-motivated violence.

As thinkers, educators, scholars, and students, we unequivocally support efforts to dismantle systemic racism and oppression. We condemn and deplore the use of tear gas, police violence and the deployment of military and unidentified federal police units against peaceful activists and protestors. These tragic events are unfolding as we are facing a pandemic that has taken over 110,000 lives, and has had disproportionate lethal and economic impacts on Black, Brown, Indigenous and other vulnerable and marginalized communities.

As an initiative whose core mission is to advance intersectional gender justice, today we state publicly that we are committed to:

Holding ourselves accountable to create a space for elevating and centering Black voices
Supporting Black faculty, staff, trainees, students, and non-Black allies, in efforts to eradicate racial injustice
Supporting the racial justice work carried out by Georgetown in addressing its own ties to the institution of slavery
Advocating for greater diversity, equity and inclusion across campuses and schools
Continuing to invest in interdisciplinary research projects focusing on racial justice
Continuing to engage the larger community in discussions and action that push back against intersectional racial and gender injustice
Seeking ways to partner and support the work of local organizations and communities

In the words of Audre Lorde: “Revolution is not a one-time event.” This is not a moment, but a movement that requires long-term collective commitment and efforts. Racial justice does not only consist of protecting the safety of Black lives, but ensuring that all Black lives thrive. We encourage our community to question ways in which we unintentionally contribute to anti-Blackness and to start or continue conversations about these issues with colleagues, family and friends.

Black Lives Matter
In solidarity,
The Gender⁺ Justice Initiative