[ASEEES] ASEEES Statement Condemning Systemic Racism and Police Brutality; other advocacy statements

[Park, Lynda]

ASEEES Statement Condemning Systemic Racism and Police Brutality

The Executive Committee and the Committee for the Advocacy of Diversity and Inclusion of the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies issued the following statement today: www.aseees.org/advocacy/aseees-statement-condemning-systemic-racism-and-police-brutality<https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseees.org%2Fadvocacy%2Faseees-statement-condemning-systemic-racism-and-police-brutality&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cbf689464bc7c4e188fe808d808ed652a%7C9ef9f489e0a04eeb87cc3a526112fd0d%7C1%7C0%7C637269162979771028&sdata=7%2Fp9nHDh7%2FEqk8Lvs40QUk72i11TuHiimR3bQ6LAGfg%3D&reserved=0>

The Association for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) condemns the brutal killing of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Darnesha Harris, Tamir Rice and many others. We further condemn the decision of local police to resort to coercion in response to the protests and the inflammatory actions by the US administration. We stand in solidarity with Black and other marginalized communities in this moment of collective action against systemic violence directed at people of color by police. We recognize that the dehumanization directed against Black people in the US is a legacy of our history of slavery and a horrifying consequence of racism.

As scholars and students of Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasian history and society, we have gained intimate knowledge of the atrocities committed by authoritarian regimes, which have deployed military and secret police to deprive people of their rights of association and expression. But we also study people who engage in courageous individual and collective acts against such regimes, in some cases leading to revolution. Crucially, we are familiar with rulers who declare that protestors deserve the coercion used against them and squash the protests, leading to more authoritarianism. This should never happen in a democracy.

As our democracy is in crisis, we declare that it is more important than ever to engage in reflection and meaningful action to bring more diversity, and to create spaces where scholars of color in our field, and beyond, feel empowered to center marginalized perspectives and can thrive as researchers and educators. This is a time to reflect on the history of our Association, work to undo systemic inequalities, become more inclusive and protect our colleagues whose race or economic situation makes them vulnerable in our society.

As an association based in the US, a proclaimed democracy, we have the freedom and the moral responsibility to stand up for justice. As researchers and educators, we are committed to dialogue, reflection, and public engagement. We call upon our members to use their expertise both in the classroom and in public forums to engage in discussions on race and racial justice. Scholarship and creative work can be powerful tools in the struggle against racism and racialized violence, and today we must use them in this way. We also affirm that we will redouble our efforts to create a safe, equitable and just community in every place where we live, study, teach and work, beginning in our own organization and field.

The Executive Committee also signed the AHA Statement on the History of Racist Violence<https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.historians.org%2Fnews-and-advocacy%2Faha-advocacy%2Faha-statement-on-the-history-of-racist-violence-in-the-united-states-(june-2020)&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cbf689464bc7c4e188fe808d808ed652a%7C9ef9f489e0a04eeb87cc3a526112fd0d%7C1%7C0%7C637269162979781010&sdata=55Gfe3kPiJV9KqKfViHIu8jgA57ns9%2BiYiYQvI3Qc3M%3D&reserved=0> and the MLA Statement Deploring Systemic Racism<https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mla.org%2FAbout-Us%2FGovernance%2FExecutive-Council%2FExecutive-Council-Actions%2F2020%2FMLA-Statement-Deploring-Systemic-Racism&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cbf689464bc7c4e188fe808d808ed652a%7C9ef9f489e0a04eeb87cc3a526112fd0d%7C1%7C0%7C637269162979786001&sdata=dMdns6%2BUBRImSy%2Bnud5KTPJedhDyLZEogiZdjKCScsE%3D&reserved=0>.
We are also participating in a new collaborative teaching resource site on the Humanities Commons set up by the MLA - Anti-Racist Teaching Resources for Your 2020-2021<https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fantiracistresources.hcommons.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cbf689464bc7c4e188fe808d808ed652a%7C9ef9f489e0a04eeb87cc3a526112fd0d%7C1%7C0%7C637269162979786001&sdata=8gBvsEGipfmFbOUpK2RgGCJ46RXXOrkZb2GjTeGFhSs%3D&reserved=0>. We ask that you submit relevant resources. If you are registered for the ASEEES Commons<https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Faseees.hcommons.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cbf689464bc7c4e188fe808d808ed652a%7C9ef9f489e0a04eeb87cc3a526112fd0d%7C1%7C0%7C637269162979790994&sdata=xeYfwXKt1Z1bpZ5WoDYZ0LS7YXtzluanBNvL9FlmtNk%3D&reserved=0>, you automatically have access to the Humanities Commons, or you can register<https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fregistry.hcommons.org%2Fregistry%2Fco_petitions%2Fstart%2Fcoef%3A158&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cbf689464bc7c4e188fe808d808ed652a%7C9ef9f489e0a04eeb87cc3a526112fd0d%7C1%7C0%7C637269162980834063&sdata=eMs0ZiATNHlYkn0UVY4WwamLUJ10fjRuD%2FUyxcx2%2Fj8%3D&reserved=0> for the Humanities Commons directly.

ASEEES-AATSEEL-ACTR Letter to Ohio University Regarding Its Russian Program

ASEEES, AATSEEL and ACTR sent a joint letter to the Ohio University administration<https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseees.org%2Fadvocacy%2Fletter-ohio-university-regarding-planned-closure-russian-program&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cbf689464bc7c4e188fe808d808ed652a%7C9ef9f489e0a04eeb87cc3a526112fd0d%7C1%7C0%7C637269162980839056&sdata=pxDoIh6S9KS7fw8mJHJ9v3LPK5IXv8h0Tvbbx2k6SBI%3D&reserved=0> calling on the university to reconsider its plan in effect to close down its Russian program.

Relatedly, the ASEEES Committee on Academic Freedom and Advocacy is developing an advocacy tool kit to assist us and our members to advocate for our field more effectively and asking for your input on what should be included in the tool kit. Please use this form<https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fforms%2Fd%2Fe%2F1FAIpQLSfIQsgNRr_kWnD5HlmEqSuMSpYCYBkX16eFQnnai5o58c0mBg%2Fviewform&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cbf689464bc7c4e188fe808d808ed652a%7C9ef9f489e0a04eeb87cc3a526112fd0d%7C1%7C0%7C637269162980844045&sdata=aXf7Wg0C7wN4vxnd0Xxv0xHL1CXpXQi6zYRlDsNw0f8%3D&reserved=0> to provide your ideas on institutional strategies, rhetorical tips, and effective arguments, along with what works (and what does not).  If you have any questions, please contact Brian Porter-Szucs at baporter at umich.edu<mailto:baporter at umich.edu> and Ani Kokobobo at akokobobo at ku.edu<mailto:akokobobo at ku.edu>

Letter to Congress Calling for Allocation of Additional Funding for Higher Education

ASEEES co-signed a letter to Congress<https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseees.org%2Fadvocacy%2Fletter-congress-regarding-funding-higher-education-institutions-during-covid-19&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cbf689464bc7c4e188fe808d808ed652a%7C9ef9f489e0a04eeb87cc3a526112fd0d%7C1%7C0%7C637269162980849038&sdata=FF0oXX5v%2BR1Jzxp9IAmiV5sIyt3xHvW7tonjIwD2%2FDA%3D&reserved=0> calling on the legislators to allocate additional funding for higher education institutions and ensure they are distributed to students and institutions most impacted during the COVID-19 crisis.

Statement Calling on Higher Education to Make Adjustment for Students During the COVID-19 Crisis

 ASEEES signed a statement<https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseees.org%2Fadvocacy%2Fstatement-regarding-student-educational-progress-during-covid-19&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cbf689464bc7c4e188fe808d808ed652a%7C9ef9f489e0a04eeb87cc3a526112fd0d%7C1%7C0%7C637269162980854029&sdata=8vX%2BXRhNd8tzbV7j8U9mrjNGVXsdvCD8tDXxOy4JfMY%3D&reserved=0> by the American Sociological Association calling on the higher education administrators to consider appropriate temporary adjustments for students whose degree progress has been impacted during the COVID-19 crisis.


Lynda Park
Executive Director
Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies
203C Bellefield Hall | University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA 15260-6424 USA
+1 (412) 648-9911 (main), +1 (412) 685-3087 (new fax number)
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