'Silence is Compliance'

The American coaching organisation, CoachVille, has published a statement in support of all people of color, as the term is used in the United States.

The Coachville statement

'In the United States where many in our community are located, there is a long history of violence and harassment against People of Color.

Over the past few weeks, we have experienced a shared sense of horror and grief over the wrongful deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and the harassment of Christian Cooper.

We stand in solidarity with People of Color in the United States and everywhere in the world.

We stand against systemic racism and social injustice in all of its forms.

If you are a person of color, I am with you; we are with you.

If you are a white person …

Silence is compliance.

Say something. Do something.

If you don’t know what to say or do … ASK someone .... listen ... use your imagination ... then ACT!

This needs to be a conversation and a co-creation.

Make sure your voice and capability to create profound belonging is heard and felt.'

As a coaching organisation, Sydney School of Arts & Humanities endorses the statement, particularly out of respect for the indigenous people of Australia.

SSOA was also in support of the Black Lives Matter protest held in the Sydney CBD yesterday.

Among many others, Nadra Widatalla, a writer and producer living in Los Angeles, has argued against use of the term 'people of color' and 'women of color' as not helpful in assisting in social and economic inclusivity. SSOA recognises this may be the case, but also sees the importance of 'white' people speaking out in support of all 'non-white' peoples of the world.

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-widatalla-poc-intersectionality-race-20190428-story.html

SSOA writers' blogs are made possible through the support of City of Sydney grant assistance.