Racial Justice Statement
The Portland State University School of Music & Theater is a deeply engaged collective of performers, creators, and scholars dedicated to student success. We are acutely aware that the status quo in the performing arts, on stage and in the classroom, exhibits characteristics of systemic racism and colonialism, and advances the privilege of white men of European descent.
We recognize that simply inviting members of BIPOC communities to participate in a curriculum centered on European traditions is not enough. While we offer non-western ensembles and dedicated classes exploring literature outside the European canon, we are seeking ways to expand and deepen these offerings so that they form a more central part of our academic programs. Additionally, we are engaged in revising and restructuring our scholarly and performance offerings to include BIPOC individuals as fully active and equally represented participants in our institution. This pledge includes examining our hiring practices in order to build a diverse community that is representative of the world we wish to live and teach in.
The administration, faculty, and staff of our School are committed to enacting meaningful change with clear and unified goals. We are working towards creating and sustaining a diverse community that celebrates difference, including race, culture, gender, sexuality, age, religion, and ability. We are also invested in promoting consequential discourse that amplifies the voices of those in our community who are marginalized, both historically and presently, in order to shape an equitable vision for our community.