Anti-Racism Statement

The Writing Center affirms our support of the Black Lives Matter movement and social justice movements in general that seek to create more equitable and inclusive conditions in society. The Writing Center recognizes that racism is as pernicious as it is abhorrent, and we stand in solidarity with those who protest against and seek to overturn its effects. In striving toward a truly equitable future for all, we are committed to combating racism at every juncture.

In order to fulfill this commitment, we undertake the following practices and actions:

• Engaging in ongoing discussions about racism and other forms of oppression to understand the different experiences of tutors and students in our center and how our work can best support diverse individuals and groups
• Speaking up in tutoring sessions about rhetoric or language that is oppressive and challenging those biases
• Calling each other in about practices or actions that work against the commitments above
• Ongoing learning about how racism impacts the tutoring of writing and students’ experience with writing and seeking and using practices to address racism and other forms of oppression that intersect with writing
• Hiring and supporting a diverse group of tutors
• Advocating for practices and policies that will make the center a safer and braver space for all students, including collaborating with campus entities with similar commitments.

As stated above, the Writing Center believes that racism is an abhorrent yet everyday aspect of our larger society and our educational institutions. We understand racism as both individual, everyday actions and beliefs and also as systemic and structural practices and policies that unfairly advantage white individuals and groups. While understanding we cannot simply step outside of these oppressive systems and structures, we are committed to practices that are more just and that support individuals and groups in navigating and challenging oppression. We commit ourselves to valuing and welcoming the writing, stories, and experiences of all students, particularly those of BIPOC and other groups whose narratives have been continuously marginalized. We commit ourselves to recognizing and challenging linguistic discrimination and to valuing multiple uses of English and multiple Englishes. We commit ourselves to confronting racist and other oppressive forms of language and rhetoric through discussion and revision. We commit to challenging anti-Blackness in the educational institution and beyond. Finally, we commit ourselves to understanding intersectional aspects of identity and oppression and to drawing on social justice practices that will support students in all their diversity.