Dear Friends of Tufts Music,
I write to affirm the Department of Music’s commitment to combatting racial injustice and its support of those valiantly exercising the right to public protest. I write to express our horror at the lives so violently cut short through police brutality, and our sympathy for the families, friends, and communities that mourn their losses. I write to avow that, although our department has a deep and longstanding commitment to challenging preconceptions, confronting racial bias, and asserting a shared global humanity, it is not enough. Thus, as we prepare for the upcoming academic year, our department will be working together to determine how to leverage our teaching, research, performance, and programming activities to combat racism and honor the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Nina Pop, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and the many others whose violent deaths at the hands of the police reveal the need for increased and sustained action to end racial injustice. We welcome your input as we make our plans. In the meantime, here are some resources to educate yourself and others (the Movement for Black Lives; Anti-racism resources); donate (Official George Floyd Family Fund; Black Lives Matter Boston); and get involved (BLM Boston schedule; What white people can do for racial justice).
As musicians, we know that playing together depends on listening to each other and respecting each other’s voices. It also requires the courage to get out there in front of others and share what we’ve learned. More than ever, these challenging times demand that we put these skills to the test.
Sincerely,
Rich Jankowsky
Chair & Associate Professor
Department of Music