commitment to action

anti-racist statement

Migration Theory recognizes that its privilege, prejudices, and organizational practices have upheld and sustained racist practices in the arts. We acknowledge that we’ve maintained an exclusionary culture in pursuit of our artistic goals, whether intentional or not. We have benefitted from white supremacy culture. We have been complicit in racist policies and practices. 

This admission is the first step. 

Migration Theory commits to reckoning with our privilege, commits to changing our organizational practices, commits to dismantling white supremacy culture in our beloved Boise, Idaho, in the Northwest arts scene, and in the national arts culture (as far as we might reach). We commit to elevating, supporting, forwarding, centering Black, Indigenous, People of Color artists and art. We commit to elevating, supporting, forwarding, centering Women artists and art. And we commit to elevating, supporting, forwarding, centering Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual artists and art. We will move intentionally to provide opportunities for BIPOC, LGBTQIA, WOC and to ensure inclusion so that they are active participants in the stories they create. We commit to creating a safe environment for all BIPOC, LGBTQIA, WOC. We commit to anti-racism.

This commitment is the next step. 

The third step is necessary, difficult, and without a finish line. We must act.

Migration Theory will take action and, as we educate ourselves in equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist practices, we will take action beyond lip service. We understand that anti-racist transformation requires planning, rigor, vigilance, openness, willingness, sacrifice, endurance--especially once the bright focus of media attention has dimmed and the initial wave of allyship has ebbed. We commit to the active long haul necessary for radical and transformative change. We are guided by principles articulated by We See You W.A.T. We’re here for the duration.  https://www.weseeyouwat.com/principles

We’re taking our admissions, our promises, and we’re looking within. We’re seeking out BIPOC artists for our projects, performances, and staff. We’re engaging BIPOC colleagues and friends in conversation (paying them for their time, as they are willing to share) to better formulate anti-racist policies, to better care for them, to better understand what they need to feel safe, heard, and centered. We’re enrolled and participating in anti-racist training. We’re unlearning our white fragility. 

We’re also quieting ourselves as we make concrete, implementable plans for dismantling racist practices. We’re asking questions. We’re cultivating humility, deep listening, empathy, courage, ruthless self-reflection and honesty, a willingness to move forward with bravery and take risks. We’re beginning, we’re becoming, we’re learning, we’re making mistakes. We’re undoing, so that we may do better. We’re trying again, again, again, again. We’re fighting for racial justice, for racial equity.

We will not be silent. 

Dismantling white supremacy culture is our responsibility. Let’s go.