YCEDE and its partner institutions strongly condemn the racist violence seen across the UK over the last few weeks. As a project working hard to improve access, equity, and fairness for ethnic minorities in the UK, we are appalled at the use of racist language and the deliberate, violent targeting of minoritised individuals and communities.
We will not shy away from openly naming this violence as racist. We also call upon local and national leaders to publicly name and condemn this ongoing racist violence in the strongest possible terms.
We have, however, also seen what is possible when individuals come together, through the admirable community-led efforts to rebuild and recover from the damage caused across the UK. Universities have a role to play in this recovery by offering opportunities for education and research, as well as hope and encouragement. We therefore urge anti-racists in the UK to continue to promote community, cohesion, and solidarity in the face of division and discrimination.
We understand that YCEDE colleagues, PGRs and other partners may be affected by this ongoing situation. We urge our staff, PGRs and students to review the advice provided by your institutions. If you are not sure who to speak to or where to access this information, please do get in touch with us at info@ycede.ac.uk, and we will be happy to signpost and support wherever we can.
As ever, we stand wholeheartedly with minoritised individuals and communities in the UK, and offer our solidarity, sympathy, and best wishes in these troubling times.