The global COVID-19 pandemic, the murder of George Floyd and the marches for Black Lives, as well as the earlier #MeToo movement have sparked a sea change in our society. Following a recommendation of the Executive Committee, Equity’s National Council has taken action to in regard to the Black Lives Matter Movement, approving the following resolution at their June 2020 meeting, and subsequently amending it at their June 2021 meeting:
WHEREAS, the murders of George Floyd, Tony McDade and Breonna Taylor are just three in a long line of incidents of law enforcement officers killing Black people; and,
WHEREAS, the murders of Ahmaud Arbery and Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells are additional examples of the systemic terrorism against Black people in the United States; and,
WHEREAS, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color face police brutality, prosecution, incarceration, and violence in disproportionately high numbers; and,
WHEREAS, systemic racism is present in all functions of our society, including the labor movement and the theater industry; and,
WHEREAS, leaders and members of Actors’ Equity Association have joined the protests demanding action to end police violence and address systemic racism throughout our society and our industry; and,
WHEREAS, many BIPOC Equity members have bravely stepped forward to publicly tell their own stories detailing the ways in which structural, systemic racism has impacted their work in our industry; and,
WHEREAS, Actors’ Equity Association values inclusion and commits itself to being aggressive and responsive in achieving equity for all its members; and,
WHEREAS, Actors’ Equity Association strives to lead the industry as a voice for the values it has adopted; and,
WHEREAS, Actors’ Equity Association recognizes the impact that systemic racism and white supremacy have had on its own structures, acknowledges its historic culpability in perpetuating inequity, and is committed to doing the work to untether itself from all forms of unjust action;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Actors’ Equity Association loudly declares that Black lives matter; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Actors’ Equity Association loudly declares that Black theater matters and that the rich diverse culture it shares to audiences around the world is a privilege; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Actors’ Equity Association acknowledges that the unique cultures shared across stages around the world are best told through the creative lenses of the artists who have experienced said culture firsthand; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Actors’ Equity Association commits to aiding in the construction of a more equitable industry pipeline for up and coming BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Religious, Disabled union members; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Actors’ Equity Association acknowledges the work and contribution of the Negro Actors’ Guild and is dedicated to sharing their rich and complex history as it pertains to the growth and development of Actors' Equity Association; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we will redouble our efforts to seek out, listen to, and amplify the voices of BIPOC stage managers and actors; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we will address the systemic racism both inside our union and its structures—including one’s ability to join and sustain membership, as well as one’s access to full participation—as well as in our industry more broadly; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we will reexamine and reform our governance structure, ensuring not only that all forms of participation in the union are safe and that they engage with our BIPOC members, but that all parties empowered to represent and act on behalf of our members— including committees, negotiating teams, Regional Boards, and the National Council — are both diverse and inclusive; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we will commit to negotiating provisions into our agreements with employers that ensure the safety and well-being of our BIPOC members, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we will engage with our employers beyond negotiations to address systemic racism in our workplaces, using all of the tools at our disposal to implement anti-racist policy across our industry; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we will push for and support efforts in alignment with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and their communities to reform law enforcement and our criminal justice system at all levels and to ensure economic and democratic freedom for all; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that Actors’ Equity Association commits to considering all options to help move forward the cause of racial and economic justice.”
Equity’s work to #ChangeTheStage begins with re-examining its own systems, structures and processes from the ground up. The strategic framework by which carry this work forward is called the Diversity & Inclusion Retrofit. We will use the updates page to keep you posted on the progress of our ongoing anti-racist inclusion journey.
