Responding to Racism
The recent tragic death of George Floyd, a black man, by police in the USA has sparked worldwide protests and drawn attention to issues of racism and discrimination which resonate around the globe. In the aftermath of the incident, “Black Lives Matter” (founded in 2013) has now become a global movement calling for individuals and institutions to examine how they have been intentionally and unintentionally complicit in maintaining a continuing legacy of racial and ethnic bias. VIS supports the call for institutional introspection and active anti-racism.
VIS values diversity and strives to provide every learner at our school with the opportunity to thrive. While we are proud of our achievements, we acknowledge that implicit bias is a part of every human institution and we are committed to increasing our efforts not only to promote diversity but to actively seek out ways to improve our practices in order to create change. We want to equip our learners with the language and courage to speak up when they see prejudice, recognizing that silence in the face of injustice is complicity.
The struggle for racial justice is a long one, and will not be accomplished overnight. Our hope is that by challenging students to examine the history of racism, its structural implications, and their own biases, VIS will prepare our learners to take the next steps in making our world a more equitable, peaceful, and just place. Guided by our values and the VIS Road Map we are well-positioned to work hard towards that goal.