The events of the past two weeks are a stark and painful reminder of the systemic inequality and racism that continues in society today. I know this is something that concerns many of you, students, alumni and staff.
Rightly, many of you have written to me and other senior colleagues, demanding the GSA speak out, to condemn racism and implement changes as a direct consequence of events in Minneapolis. I am also very conscious that institutional statements are often made at times like this only to fall by the wayside as other events and priorities take over. So, while the GSA can make a statement, a tweet or an Instagram post condemning racism and saying it will implement change, I want that statement, tweet or Instagram post to be honest and authentic, to reflect that the commitment to the diversity we value and specifically to anti-racism. The changes required to make it real is something demanded of all of us – the individuals who collectively are The Glasgow School of Art.
As I navigate my way round the GSA, I can see that commitment and understand that it does exist.
We have always been clear that as a community we are committed to creating and sustaining learning and working environments where difference is respected, where the widest possible range of cultural and social perspectives are valued and where everyone is treated fairly, according to need; and we continue to work to minimise barriers to participation for all.
What is evident is that while in many ways we live up to this commitment, in others more work is required. I acknowledge that in a number of ways the School currently falls short of its commitments, to the detriment of our Black and Ethnic Minority students, staff and alumni. In the coming weeks and months, we are going to look at what changes we need to implement to deliver on our commitment to anti-racism. This work will not be delivered through well intentioned statements but through our collective endeavour, changing behaviours, mutual respect and dialogue.
While some progress has been made in recent years, I want the GSA to be able to show that it is rising to current challenges, that it is making a difference and that it is committed across its entire community to challenging itself and others about race, social injustice, inequity and discrimination. I am committed personally, and on behalf of The Glasgow School of Art, to ensure that in this collective endeavour GSA, staff, students and graduates are part of the solution and not part of the problem.
Wednesday 10 June, 2020