A Community of Trust: The Racial Justice Initiative at Skidmore
鈥淎 Community of Trust: The Racial Justice Initiative at Skidmore College鈥� was launched on July 1, 2020, in direct response to the racial reckoning sweeping the nation in the wake of the George Floyd murder and parallel tragedies throughout America. The aim of the Initiative was to embark upon direct action steps at Skidmore and in the Saratoga Springs community that would offer immediate and meaningful change in the direction of justice, community, truth, and reconciliation. The Initiative recognizes that Skidmore College has a long history of meaningful work in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that the predictable steps of forming a committee, conducting a listening tour, or generating ideas for initiatives would actually be redundant. Our goal is to build upon the work that has been done in the past, to pursue new avenues and address today鈥檚 concerns, and to channel our energies toward building an inclusive and welcoming future at Skidmore.
This initiative belongs to all of us.
To create the community of trust that is the real goal of diversity, equity, and inclusion
work, we are all tasked to listen and respond to one another with kindness, honesty,
and respect. The most valuable part of Skidmore is our people, and every member of
the community is invited to join and support this effort.
Areas of Focus
The work of the Racial Justice Initiative is always ongoing. Progress in the efforts of race and justice 鈥� like progress in our own hearts and souls 鈥� will always remain as an aspiration and effort.鈥疊ut we continue to seek progress and greater success. As Dr. King famously said, 鈥淭he arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.鈥� Explore any of the areas below to learn more about key accomplishments and progress to date, as well as ongoing efforts in motion.
The Racial Justice Initiative鈥檚 areas of focus continue to be:
- Institutional Commitments for Race and Justice Progress
- College and Community Partnerships and Projects
- Curricular, Co-curricular, and Educational Projects
- Communities in Conflict