Anti-Racism at SIUE

Friends,

The Anti-Racism Task Force is a symbol of SIUE’s enduring commitment to racial equity, a hub of activity to centralize cultural humility in our professional practices, and an affirmation of our institutional value of Inclusion. Its goals are to engage thoughtful and synchronized action toward this outcome in ways that are measurable and consistent. The efforts of this group will center Black voices (e.g., lived experience, scholarship), while sharing in the burden of dismantling oppressive structures, including our own attitudes, decisions and behaviors. We care deeply about the pain, suffering, additional expenditures of energy, lack of support, barriers, and even traps created by systemic and interpersonal racism. Though a work in progress, we acknowledge our institution’s role in upholding such oppression and see it as our duty to become anti-racist in all aspects of University life. 

This first week of the Anti-Racism Task Force has been productive with the leadership team (known as the Core Council) meeting twice since Tuesday. The first order of business was to establish membership on the leadership team (see list #1). Thank you to all who are willing to serve in this capacity.

As outlined in the Task Force announcement of June 12, much of the ongoing work of the Task Force will be undertaken by the subcommittees. They include 4 groups relating to Communication (subcommittee #1), Student Access and Success (subcommittee #2), Curriculum (subcommittee #3), and Faculty and Staff (Hiring, Retention and Promotion) (subcommittee #4). Individuals and Co-Chairs of these 4 committees are being contacted regarding their availability and willingness to serve, and the final lists will be communicated to campus next week. Individuals include faculty/staff/student members, as well as “consultants” from our community who will be part of focused conversations.

Directions for the subcommittees were refined from the June 12^th announcement.

Topics discussed by the Core Council this week, in addition to Task Force subcommittee work, included discussions about Juneteenth and establishing a Black student endowed scholarship to honor individuals engaged in the struggle for Racial Justice. If you wish to contribute to this fund, please contact Rachel Stack at rstack@siue.edu. Another discussion topic included processes related to the SIUE social media sites, including our Facebook page.  

The committee is in the process of developing a recommended readings list pertaining to Equity and Inclusion, and we plan to have more on that in the near future. In the meantime, please take the time on this Juneteenth to reflect, examine and advocate for anti-racism and social justice on this important date. If you would like to read more on the topic, please visit

https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/historical-legacy-juneteenth.

One charge of the Core Council is to connect actions and activities of the SIUE Task Force with System efforts regarding Racial Injustice, particularly those of the Diversity Advisory Council (DAC). DAC is planning a “Conversation of Understanding” on Monday, June 29^th from 5-7 p.m. A general announcement with access information will be forthcoming.

If you are interested in participating in the Task Force in some way, please contact Kim Durr at kdurr@siue.edu to let her know which subcommittee is of interest to you. If you wish to nominate someone, you can also let Kim know. If you have questions or comments about the Task Force, please contact me at rpembro@siue.edu. 

Best wishes for the weekend,    

Randy Pembrook

The Antiracism Task Force Core Council
Scott Belobrajdic
Courtney Boddie
Venessa Brown
Lakesha Butler
Denise Cobb
Kim Durr
Tim Hall
Jessica Harris
Elza Ibroscheva
Doug McIlhagga
Randy Pembrook
Kevin Schmoll
J.T. Snipes
Rachel Stack
Tim Staples
Cornell Thomas
Bob Thumith
Lindy Wagner
Jeffrey Waple