Yeah, after I graduated college, I took a gap year. I went to Japan and worked as a bartender. I didn’t speak any Japanese at all before I went. I researched how to say, “I’m allergic to ginger,” and, “Can I have some water?” I already knew the female word for bathroom, and I just thought I’d figure out the rest as I went along. I loved it! You get to hear everybody’s stories, it’s a fun job, and you get to learn a cool skill. I suggest everyone try it!
The Duke University Union (DUU) condemns the continued violence and racism against Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) folx in our country and in our Duke community. We recognize that a system of institutionalized racism is fundamentally rootedin our society and our communities. We understand that Duke is not exempt or buffered from these systems. We, as an organization, are invested in standing up to racism and working to break down the structures that hinder the full inclusion of our valuable BIPOC communities, both at Duke and in our nation.
We are saddened by the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tony McDade, and countless others affected by police brutality, as well as the violence against those so bravely standing on the frontline of our nation’s protests. We are inspired to see those standing up to make a change. As an organization centered around community-building, social engagement, and memory making, it is imperative that we recognize and acknowledge the value, experience, and leadership that BIPOC lives bring to our communities at Duke, including our own. We stand in solidarity with these communities across campus and in our world. Black Lives Matter.
Now, more than ever, we are committed to creating spaces, events, and media where BIPOC students feel safe, celebrated, uplifted, and supported. Our dedication to inclusion and diversity goes beyond our words alone. We are listening and learning from the lived experiences of those in our communities, and we affirm our commitment to the critical evaluation of our programs and our leaders through training, education, and conversation. We will continue to build upon the foundation of our work with our oversight board, the University Union Board, and its External Engagement standing committee.
We encourage all Duke students to use their voices, their power, and their hearts for justice -to stand up to racism by holding ourselves and our communities accountable.
“In a racist society it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist” -Angela Davis
Thank you to Duke Student Government (DSG) for compiling the following resources, we hope that you take the time to educate yourselves:
In solidarity,
The 2020-2021 Duke University Union Executive Committee