ACDA mourns for each and every Black life shortened by the individual and institutional racism that plagues our communities and country. We acknowledge the hurt, anger, and frustration that many of its members, particularly our members of color, are feeling as America grapples with the impacts of systemic racism and police brutality in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.
The murder of George Floyd is a current tragedy that is a reminder of the countless named and unnamed Black lives lost unlawfully, unethically, inhumanely, and of the history of racism and threat that continues to diminish the dignity of Black, Brown, and so many other people of color. It calls us to reflect on that history and the causes of that racism and how to EFFECT the change that must happen to make the world just, equitable, and safe, so that the crimes against George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, and all the named and unnamed Black Americans never happen again.
We further acknowledge that the history of ACDA mirrors that of the history of America, and we accept our own complicity in the racism in our past. We continue to re-examine how we are including and supporting diversity to make it more central to our mission. We seek to move forward by engaging, listening to, and learning from our Black colleagues so that we can be part of creating a new and more inclusive future for all.
“Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.”
Roland Carter conducting the Winston-Salem State University Alumni Choir:
Arreon Harley-Emerson conducting the Choir School of Delaware: