Our Feminism is Intersectional

The Clayman Institute stands united in outrage and mourning over the murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and the countless others who have fallen victim to a racist police, anti-Black policies, and a racist society throughout American history. We stand in solidarity with protestors across the country who are demanding an end to the racist and white supremacist structures that continue to dominate US politics and society. We also understand that the university is part of these structures, is part of the problem, and that this cannot be permitted to go on for one more minute.

We understand that articulating any feminist position without taking into account these commitments to anti-racist policies and action will create a hollow and ultimately meaningless caricature of feminism. Our feminism is intersectional. Our politics are aimed at transforming society towards greater justice and equality. We invite you to join us in this commitment, and to remind us of our mission when we fall short of it. In order to (1) send a signal of our solidarity, in order to (2) reaffirm our commitments, and in order to (3) acknowledge the extent to which white supremacy is still baked into the way the university and our individual disciplines operate, the Clayman Institute joined institutions and individuals on June 10, 2020, in an academic strike. More information can be found through the hashtags #Strike4BlackLives and #ShutDownAcademia on social media. Moving forward, our conversations and plans for action continue to develop.