Dear RMG Community,
We all have a part to play in dismantling systemic racism.
We must do more than simply watch what’s happening in cities around the world and feel shock, disbelief, and outrage at the anti-black racism that has continued for hundreds of years. We must ask ourselves, what is our role? How can we invite dialogue and conversation that isn’t hollow? We have work to do and need to take concrete actions supported by our values.
We believe that none of our goals are achievable without diversity, equity, and inclusive practice. As an organization we acknowledge our inherent bias and that not knowing is not an excuse.
We need to do the work, the research, and to listen and learn. These are necessary, uncomfortable conversations. We hope that by continuing to engage in this work we can confront and break down the structural inequity that creates barriers to the inclusion we want to nurture.
Museums are not neutral. Art has the potential to ignite social change and we empower artists as essential communicators and navigators of our complex times.
We will continue to make missteps on this journey, but if we don’t keep moving forward we risk standing still and not doing all that we can to amplify Black artists and community members.
On our website, we’ve posted links to Black-led organizations you can support and resources we’re turning to on our learning journey.
Take care of each other.
Cheryl Blackman, Chair, Board of Directors Lauren Gould, CEO
Here are a number of Black organizations and anti-racist groups whose work you can support:
We acknowledge that this list may be incomplete. Please email iforster@rmg.on.ca if there are any resources/links that you would like to see added or changed. We welcome all feedback, comments, and conversations.
Local Organizations (Durham Region)
Durham Black Educators Network
Womxn of Colour Durham Collective (WOCDC)
Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham
Ontario/Nation-Wide Organizations and Opportunities to Show Support
Food Share – Not Another Black Life
Canadian Anti-Racism Education and Research Society (CAERS)
Black Artists’ Network in Dialogue
Canadian Authors on Anti-Black Racism
Policing Black Lives by Robyn Maynard
The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole
Until We Are Free, edited by Rodney Diverlus, Sandy Hudson and Syrus Marcus Ware
#blacklivesmatter
