Racism is a sad reality everywhere. No racism is acceptable, be it against Black, Indigenous, or any other people. All voices need to be heard for innovation and social justice. We are listening.
That is the message we are sharing on our social media platforms, but I wanted to take a moment to elaborate. The current crisis of anti-Black racism associated with police violence in the United States is shining a spotlight on inequalities everywhere – including here at home in Canada - which can no longer be ignored.
As the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) recently pointed out: “Throughout history, Black people have made remarkable contributions to scientific progress. North America continues to prosper immensely from these contributions and yet significant barriers still stand to their being fully welcomed and included in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). As we reflect on our part in these systems of racism and oppression, as an Association we know we need to do better to further educate ourselves and understand our responsibility in educating our members.”
We know that we have work to do at Ingenium. We are committed to learn how to do more, to do better, and to do what is fully right.
As an organization that focuses on ingenuity to tackle key issues of our time, Ingenium endeavours to reflect all peoples and ways of knowing. We are listening and learning. We are working with our team, our audiences and our partners to enhance diversity and equality in our collections, our programs, and our exhibitions. We will strive to be a platform for all voices to be heard for innovation and social justice. No racism is acceptable.
It is time to speak up. We owe it to our staff. We owe it to our community. We owe it to humanity.
Christina Tessier, President & CEO