Like our national union, AFT, TAUP condemns the killing of George Floyd, Breanna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and of so many, many other African-Americans and people of color whose killers have not been held accountable. Police are sworn to serve and protect, yet we continue to see all too many of them actively engaged or passive in the face of brutal manifestations of the systemic racism that has poisoned our body politic throughout our history, preceding our nation’s founding.
Racism must be identified, called out and censured vigilantly in all of its forms. As educators, we have a responsibility to society that begins with the respect we owe to each of our students and to each other. Black Lives Matter is not a slogan: it is a vision and a mission to fulfill. We call on members with expertise through their studies or those who have led anti-racist training to join with the union in pursuing a path forward in combating racism in higher education.
We encourage members to donate to organizations doing work on the front lines today. In Minneapolis, the site of George Floyd’s murder, please consider donating to the Minnnesota Freedom Fund. In Philadelphia, please consider donating to The Philadelphia Bail Fund or POWER.