The Graduate Architecture, Landscape, and Design Student Union (GALDSU) has released a statement of support for the Black Lives Matter movement and other protesters seeking justice. The full text of the statement is below:

We, as a council, would like to unequivocally state our support of the Black Lives Matter movement and the protesters who are continually and visibly putting their lives on the line in the pursuit of justice. We acknowledge that our silence makes us complicit in the injustice that Black people face and would like to apologize for the harm this continued silence has already done. To the Black students within our community, we deeply regret our inaction, and we are committed to amplifying your voices. We are pledging to do better and be better as representatives within and for the Daniels Community.

As designers in fields dominated by people with an inordinate amount of privilege, it is imperative that we actively work to recognize and dismantle the systemic and institutional biases that perpetuate racism and all injustices. As the next diverse generation of designers, we will be entrusted with designing spaces that will be accessible to all, regardless of race, age, gender, or ability. Therefore, we must consider the ecological, economic, social, and emotional well being of the communities we impact. Together, we can work to build justice within the environments we create.

White supremacy is deeply rooted in all aspects of our institutions. Police brutality and racial injustice are not new to Black, Brown, Indigenous, and other visible minority groups. It can be hard to know where to start and what actions to take. One of the most important things we can do is to educate ourselves, if we don’t already know, about the histories of racialized oppression that have led to the current context. However, we must also take action. This can be as small as sharing information on social media or signing a petition, and as big as starting discussions in your communities, donating, and most importantly advocating for those around you with the privileges you do have.

The past few months have demonstrated the malleability of our day-to-day lives. Our “new normal” has transformed into one that includes social distancing, masks, and Zoom calls. We can and should examine how we can each actively contribute to dismantling systems and institutions built on white supremacy.

Please take a moment to check out the attached list of resources. We will continue to add to them as we learn about them. As always, our inboxes are open to comments and suggestions about what the GALDSU council can do to work towards a more equitable community.

“You have to act as if it were radically possible to transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” – Angela Davis

Yours in Solidarity,

Noor Alkhalili, Equity and Diversity Officer 2019

Janice Miyagi, Equity and Diversity Officer 2020

 

And the GALDSU Executive Councils of 2019 & 2020

Adam Krajewski, President

Valerie Marshall, Vice-President

Roman Romanov, Treasurer

Ji Hee Kim, Health and Sustainability Officer

Noor Alkhalili, Equity and Diversity Officer

Jana Nitschke, Social Chair

 

Kurtis Chen, President

Jihee Kim, Vice-President

Ryan Bruer, Treasurer

Juliette Cook, Health and Sustainability Officer

Janice Miyagi, Equity and Diversity Officer

Yasmina Parto, Social Chair

Justin Hung, Secretary