The Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures expresses solidarity with protestors against systemic racism and affirms the importance of declaring that Black lives matter. As scholars and teachers, we have an important role to play in opposing the multiple forms of racism that motivate violence, exclusion, and discrimination in the U.S. and internationally.
Germany, Russia, Austria, Ukraine, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and the other countries we study and teach about in GSLL have histories of genocide, colonial violence, and state repression of minorities. Responsible study of these countries requires the interrogation of racisms, including racist military and police brutality that persist in the present. We are committed to working against the racism that has long shaped academic inquiry, pedagogical practice, educational access, and institutional structures in our fields. We look forward to collaborating with students and colleagues to cultivate a more inclusive climate on our campus and in our profession.
We further express solidarity with our CU BIPOC community members and endorse the CU antiracist creed.