With anguish and deep sorrow, we mourn the lives of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. Gunned down while jogging, shot in their own home, and deprived of the very right to breathe. The loss of these three human beings – and countless others – is yet another shameful testament to the depths of institutional and systemic racism that have plagued our country for far too long.
We see the pain, the suffering, and the indignation, and like many, we are at a loss of words. Black communities continue to be traumatized by a legacy of state-sanctioned violence and it is our collective responsibility to stand in solidarity with the demands for justice.
Our vision at Seattle Rep is theater at the heart of public life. It is a commitment to the elevation and celebration of each and every voice. We support and stand with our community of Black artists, staff, supporters, and audiences – your stories matter and your lives matter. We recognize the ways in which we perpetuate an unequal and destructive system and we vow to do better, be better.
As we continue to examine ourselves, our work, and our role in this community, we are taking the following steps:
- Standing in solidarity with anti-racist and social justice organizations, listening to what is needed, and advocating for Black communities
- Creating intentional spaces for our community to convene and process the emotional and psychological trauma of these events
- Continuing to tell stories that challenge our perceptions of race and identity, encouraging our audiences to engage in the difficult but necessary work of self-reflection
- Upholding principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in all our practices
- Sharing our resources and amplifying the voices of artists and activists who have long been engaged in the fight for justice
We cannot stay silent, and neither can you. We have compiled a growing resource list of organizations actively engaged in helping to end these acts of violence and the racial injustice in our country. We will continue to update this list and engage our community with action in this urgent and vital work.
In solidarity,
Your Friends at Seattle Rep