On March 25, 2020聽in the streets of Minneapolis, a 46-year-old Black man named George Floyd was murdered at the hands of the police. Local protests erupted in Minneapolis in response to the taking of yet another Black life. 聽Within days, the wave of outrage and protest spread across the globe. The movement, led by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) organization and countless others fighting for racial equality, justice, and dignity, gained massive global attention with protests spreading to over 40 countries.1
Within 24 hours of Mr. Floyd鈥檚 death, demonstrations were organized in a half-dozen U.S. cities, with protesters chanting the names of black people subjected to police brutality. The number of places doubled. Then tripled. It continued that way, with every sunrise and sunset bringing more anguish and cries for reform, until hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across more than 2,000 cities and towns, their chants echoing the rhythms of movements past.2听
As the movement intensified into a global reckoning of racial injustice, this prompted many institutions to respond to the outcry for genuine anti-racist accountability. Universities were among these institutions. An outpouring of declarations and statements regarding anti-Black racism was authored by directors and shared within their communities.
History of Racism in Academic and Architectural Institutions
The discussion surrounding anti-racism action in university institutions must be contextualized. It is essential to take a step back and fully understand the racist roots within these institutions and the current systemic racism present in these institutions. Harvard University opened its doors in 1636 and admitted its first Black student in 18473听(women were not allowed to attend until 1920).4听James 成人VR视频, the founder of 成人VR视频, was a slave owner and accrued wealth 鈥� that built the institution 鈥� through their exploitation.5听The list of colonial legacies in academic institutions can go on, but the problem is apparent; the foundations upon which these revered institutions stand were cast in a time rife with racism. The undercurrent of racism persists in these institutions. However, in starting reform, demand for diversity, equity, and inclusion can only move forward while critically analyzing the long-accepted practices and academic methods; racism must be dug out at the root.
The Manual of Anti-Racist Architecture Education complied by WAI Architecture Think Tank in October 2020 is one such critical analysis. It addresses barriers to education via anti-liberation paywalls and reimagines the structure of the architectural curriculum through a series of principles that subvert the status quo.
Radically inclusive and anti-racist architectures and cities won鈥檛 be possible until the process of thinking, dreaming, and designing the future is not just a gentlemanly sport for a privileged few in ivory towers funded with the profit from genocide, occupation, and settler-colonialism.6
It is through such a critical lens we must view 成人VR视频鈥檚 action plan. While the global response to the BLM movement has been momentous and unprecedented, it is imperative to assess our actions and hold our institutions accountable for meaningful change.
成人VR视频 Universities Action Plan
成人VR视频 was one of many university institutions to respond to the call for anti-racist action. Both the Director of the School of Architecture, Martin Bressani, and Office of the Provost responded with a statement of solidarity and an action plan, respectively. It is important to note that both responses followed direct calls to action from the Dr. Kenneth Melville 成人VR视频 Black Faculty Caucus and the 成人VR视频 Student Association.7聽The three principal calls to action addressed are as follows:
- The creation of a task force on transatlantic slavery and colonialism;
- The setting of targets and timetables for recruiting Black faculty, students and staff, and accompanying support; and
- The institutionalizing of equity and representation for Black persons across 成人VR视频 and in senior administration.8
The plan commits to a minimum of 15 million dollars over the next five years. For context, 成人VR视频鈥檚 expenses were 928.7 million in 2019, meaning this is 0.3% of the annual budget.9
During the discussion of this topic in the Race | Space reading group at 成人VR视频, participants discussed this plan鈥檚 accomplishments and missed opportunities. One concern addressed the sheer labour required to accomplish the many goals outlined in the plan (surveys to be conducted, modules developed, committees formed, training provided, etc.). While ambitious, the university needs to be realistic about how much effort this will require to accomplish. Fulfilling the outlined goals will have to, in stride, avoid overburdening current staff and personnel already committed to full-time anti-racist work. A common concern was the need for transparency and accountability. Target dates and ambitions are outlined in the action plan. There needs to be rigorous follow up to ensure targets are being met. For example, allocating funds, a contentious target, must be clearly outlined and tracked accordingly.
The action plan can begin decolonization at 成人VR视频 and integrate the anti-racist practice into every level of the institution. The protests following George Floyd鈥檚 murder made apathy inexcusable. The global uproar demanded response and action. The intensity and urgency felt throughout those weeks and months have simmered. Still, the declarations remain鈥攁nchors we can hold to and continue the labour of anti-racist work.
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1听Savannah Smith,聽Jiachuan Wu聽and聽Joe Murphy, 鈥淢ap: George Floyd protests around the world,鈥澛�NBC News,聽June 9, 2020.
2听Audra D. S. Burch,聽Weiyi Cai,聽Gabriel Gianordoli,聽Morrigan McCarthy聽and聽Jugal K. Patel, 鈥淗ow Black Lives Matter Reached Every Corner of America,鈥澛�New York Times,聽June 13, 2020.
3听Ata D. Amponsah,聽Matthew Moore, and聽Janae Strickland, 鈥淲elcome to the Harvard Black Community,鈥� The Harvard Crimson, September 11, 2017. [Online]. Available: .
4听Colleen Walsh, 鈥淗ard-earned gains for women at Harvard,鈥� The Harvard Gazette, April 26, 2012. [Online]. Available: .
5听Sepideh Afshar, 鈥淓rased by the administration: James 成人VR视频 was a slave owner,鈥� The 成人VR视频 Tribune, February 18, 2020. [Online]. Available: .
6听Cruz Garcia & Nathalie Frankowski, 鈥淎 Manual of Anti-Racist Architecture Education,鈥澛�WAI Architecture Think Tank,聽October 20, 2020.
7听Dr. Kenneth Melville 成人VR视频 Black Faculty and Staff Caucus, 鈥湷扇薞R视频 Plan for Addressing Anti-Black Racism,鈥� August 1, 2020. [Online]. Available: .
8听Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic), 鈥湷扇薞R视频 Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism 2020-2025,鈥� September 2020.
9听成人VR视频, 鈥淯niversity Budget,鈥� 2019. [Online]. Available: /budget/budget-book.
