A Message from NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Gonzalo Casals
This article originally appeared in the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs newsletter.
Saludos from Jackson Heights,When I introduce myself, I do so as a Queer, Latinx Immigrant to convey my pride in belonging to these communities. Today, however, I feel it is important to write to you from the perspective of privilege that I am afforded by the color of my skin, my gender presentation, the access to education throughout my life, and the platform of power inherent in my role as Commissioner of Cultural Affairs.
The unique ways in which my identities intersect have made me aware of the injustices of our society and have driven me to commit to harnessing my privilege for systemic change. But I must also recognize that the profound anxiety, anger, and grief that communities of color, in particular African American and black people, have experiences for centuries are the result of systems that have benefitted me throughout my life.
As we continue to focus on how we recover and reopen, I would like to challenge to the cultural community to change the conversations we are having about race.
Let’s talk about whiteness. We know from our research that leadership and staff at cultural organizations are a majority white. This did not happen by accident and is an uncomfortable truth that we must confront. In doing so, let’s not ask our colleagues of color to relive their grief and oppression so we can feel like we’ve made progress. While we will continue to support their creativity and amplify their voices, the burden to educate us on racial justice is not theirs. Racism is our problem for which we need to figure out the solutions.
Let’s talk about gatekeeping. Let’s examine the power dynamics in our daily interactions in order to understand how our decisions risk perpetuating a system of oppression. No one should be waiting for this moment to pass and for things to “return to normal.” Our new normal has to be constant engagement in the work of undoing racial injustice through examination and collective action.
We need to get personal and be open in order for these conversations to be effective. I understand that this work takes a lot of time. It is the work of a lifetime. But it is work that we need to engage in now, today, and every day moving forward. I do hope that we can work together to find answers to the urgent call we are hearing on the streets.
Black Lives Matter.
En solidaridad,
Gonzalo Casals
Commissioner
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
Conversation - Claudia Rankine: On Whiteness: MacArthur Foundation Fellow and acclaimed author Claudia Rankine presents an investigation of the historically unquestioned role whiteness plays in race relations, followed by a Q&A with Rankine and ArtsEmerson Co-Artistic Director, P. Carl. "Given that the concept of racial hierarchy is a strategy employed to support white dominance, whiteness is an important aspect of any conversation about race. This talk will make visible that which has been intentionally presented as inevitable so that we can move forward into more revelatory conversations about race.”—Claudia Rankine
On Racial Justice: A letter written by Indira Etwaroo, the Executive Artistic Director of the Billie Holiday Theatre in Brooklyn, and published in the BK Reader. Along with other perspectives, Etwaroo shares her thoughts on how white cultural leaders and audiences can be allies.
Black Liberation Reading List: In response to the uprisings across the globe demanding justice for Black lives, the Schomburg Center has created a Black Liberation Reading List. The 95 titles on the list represent books Schomburg staff and the public turn to regularly as activists, students, archivists, and curators, with a particular focus on books by Black authors and those whose papers Schomburg stewards.
White Fragility: Michel Martin interviews Robin DiAngelo, author of “White Fragility,” on PBS's Amanpour and Company to talk about what she recognized as her own unconscious bias. Originally aired on September 21, 2018.
BlackSpace Manifesto: BlackSpace is a collective of Black urbanists from various disciplines and sectors. The collective has a set of principles called the BlackSpace Manifesto that its members have co-created over time, including through their ongoing work in communities like Brownsville. Says one member, “these principles are focused on the transformational work and care needed to address the immense challenges that we face in our Black communities. I hope that some of you will take a look at it and consider what of your ways and means (and power and privilege) can help with New York's and the nation's much-needed transformation.”
Talking About Race: The National Museum of African American History and Culture has tools and resources on its website to help address the number one question people have asked museum staff since it opened: how to talk about race. Its primers address how to be an effective ally against racism.
For Parents and Families:
- The Children’s Museum of the Arts supports parents and caregivers as they do what can be the hardest part of the hardest job in the world – listening to their children. To this end, they have compiled an ongoing list of online resources for families regarding racial injustice.
- Systemic Racism Explained: an accessible exploration of systemic racism from Act.tv.
- Sesame Street / CNN Town Hall: CNN partnered with Sesame Street for a special townhall about racism, giving both kids and parents an opportunity to explore the current moment the nation is living through and to understand how these issues affect people. Watch it here.
- AntiDefamation League Guidance for Family Conversations about George Floyd, Racism, and Law Enforcement: a bilingual Spanish/English guide for discussion with youth ages 11 and up.