Division of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Statement in Support of Racial Equity
June 17, 2020
The events of June, 2020, galvanized our nation to reflect on what it means to have justice for all. Individual faculty in the Arts and Sciences Division at Hilbert College have, in their different ways, continuously been contributing to anti-racist efforts in our community. However, we seek to do more. It has become clearer than ever that singular efforts, however noble, cannot alone undo the effects of systemic racism. We can do better as a community.
We formally endorse Hilbert College’s statement in support of ending racial prejudice. We particularly applaud its commitment to our mission of educating to serve our diverse community. As part of Hilbert’s Franciscan heritage and values, we embrace social justice. Our mission in education is to reach out and serve students from all ethnicities. We recognize that this work is ongoing, and so we pledge to re-examine our curriculum to ensure the following:
- The English department pledges to re-examine our course requirements to ensure that we celebrate significant authors, including those of diverse backgrounds and cultural traditions, and to acknowledge their contributions to the literary canon. We will provide opportunities for students to learn more about African American, Latinx, Asian American, and Native American literature in an attempt to create connections between literature, lived experiences, and historical, social, and cultural contexts. We will build on the distinct thread of works in prose, poetry, and film courses through which we enable our students to recognize and understand prejudices. We will introduce critical theories to help students read any text from multiple perspectives, including critical race and postcolonial theories.
- Digital Media and Communications pledges to renew its examination of race in media in current courses, and to work on developing new courses on race and social media.
- Biology majors and students studying science will be introduced to issues in environmental racism and racial disparities in health care.
- We will pursue expansion of foreign language and culture offerings to encourage mutual understanding and respect.
- Our division will expose students to the legacies of Black mathematicians such as Euphemia Lofton Haynes, Mary Jackson, and J. Ernest Wilkins.
We will continue educating ourselves on the intersections of race, gender, and economics in shaping our shared reality. When we each do our part to end racial inequality, we will indeed offer a higher learning environment that better serves our diverse student community. We recognize that discomfort and discord as we confront institutional racism now will lead to a more equitable future for us all. We welcome dialogue with you as we move forward.
Thank you.