Dear Members of the Campus Community,
Throughout the world, people are protesting for the end of current and historic racial injustice and brutality, most recently seen in the murder of George Floyd in the US and, indeed, people are demonstrating in Canada over the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet in Toronto, a case which is still under investigation.
Nova Scotia has 48 historic Black communities spread across the province. These communities have experienced over 400 years of discrimination, racism, and oppression and, yet, continue to be resilient and resist colonial violence. It is our responsibility to recognize how we contribute to the continued oppression of these communities and to eliminate these practices.
At StFX, we aspire to provide an environment of inclusivity for all of its members. Our work begins in the classroom and in our communities to understand the forces that have led us to this point. We must also engage our community to challenge those who view Black existence as a threat. It is our collective and individual responsibility to stand up to racism, to identify it, to speak out against it - to have zero tolerance.
The StFX community stands with our Black colleagues, students, and community members fighting for racial equality.
Black lives matter. Black communities matter.
We acknowledge that we must work harder to dismantle systems of discrimination in our own institution and are committed to engaging in the lifetime practice of self-awareness, continuing education, relationship-building, and anti-racist practice.
Diversity Engagement Staff are available to support Xaverians during these challenging times:
Kelsey Jones
Coordinator, African Descent Student Affairs
@email
Terena Francis
Coordinator, Aboriginal Student Affairs
Location: Bloomfield 313D
@email
To report an incident of racism or a Human Rights complaint contact:
Megan Fogarty
Human Rights & Equity Advisor
@email
Sincerely,
Kevin B. Wamsley, PhD
President & Vice-Chancellor
StFX University
