Anti-Black Racism Task Force
Mission Statement
“We've got to face the fact that some people say you fight fire best with fire, but we say you put fire out best with water. We say you don't fight racism with racism. We're gonna fight racism with solidarity.”
Fred Hampton
The Anti-Black Racism Task Force, with the support of the university administration, faculty and students, is committed to strategic and intentional action to address inequities on campus through programming and service in collaboration with university stakeholders and community partners.
We stand united in our commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice for all people, and state without reservations our belief that Black Lives Matter and the lives of all people who live in this world matter. We raise our voices in solidarity with all communities of color, partners, allies, and others who struggle for the equitable and humane treatment of all disenfranchised, under-resourced, under-represented, and under-served groups. We denounce police brutality, racial injustice, and anti-Blackness. We put this call of action to a few to inspire the participation of many in order to bring true systemic change to UNLV, Las Vegas, Nevada, the nation, and the world. Please stand with us!
Statement of Values
“My fear was not of death itself, but a death without meaning.”
Huey P. Newton
Rayshard Brooks, Daniel Prude, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, Aura Rosser, Stephon Clark, Botham Jean, Philando Castille, Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin, Natasha McKenna, Oscar Grant, Rekia Boyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Pearlie Golden, Eric Garner, India Beaty, and the many more names we must never forget.
Countless members of our collective communities have been killed as a result of police brutality and racial violence. We denounce white supremacy and any acts of violence. We believe in freedom and justice for all who call America home, and all who visit this great nation. We believe in the right to peacefully protest, freedom of speech, the right to control our economic freedom, and the right to live life free from fear, harassment, and inequity.
All people, especially People of Color, have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We contend that to this point in U.S. history, these rights have not been upheld for all people, and we can no longer accept the imbalance of power that disenfranchises so many people in terms of criminal justice, sentencing, education, and socioeconomic standing.
Priorities
The task force priorities foster an environment that focused safety, equity, and inclusion.
- Equity and Inclusion – Address inequities for Black faculty, staff, and students, and diversify academic schools and colleges.
- Create and implement diverse curriculum offerings.
- Campus and Student Safety – Design and implement the processes by which instances of racial threats or violence against Black students, faculty and staff are effectively reported to the university community and appropriately addressed by university administration in a timely and effective manner.
- Improve campus safety for Black faculty, staff and students through community policing initiatives, such as the University Police Advisory Board and NSHE Police Review Board.
- Supportive Campus – Ensure student success by fostering a campus community of support, equity, respect, and understanding through programming and education.
- Develop and implement mandatory training to educate the campus community on bias, unconscious bias, etc. (Specifically UNLV Employees)
