We join ACM, CRA and VLDB Endowment in stating that we will continue to listen, to learn, to engage and to explore new ways to fight against and reject racism. Silence perpetuates, doubt reinforces, and rationalization of incident after incident only compounds the pain so many in our society continue to endure. This is especially important for the SIGMOD community, given that the computer science field has historically lacked diversity.
We know that racism:
- Is systemic and institutionalized.
- Continues to oppress people of color around the world – denying basic human rights, denying opportunity, and even more tragically denying many of their very lives.
- Is learned behavior that may be unlearned through education, compassion, empathy, and action.
- Drives a wedge between communities, and in doing so limits the quest for a society steeped in respect.
- Benefits the privileged from its existence, who must be willing to sacrifice to overcome it.
To stand against it, we:
- Acknowledge the existence of racism within our communities and commit to defeating it.
- Call out and reject rationalization of incidents and distortion of information.
- Educate ourselves and those around us to address racism in its many forms.
- Stand up against the status quo by using our voice and agency.
- Invite the community to discuss concrete steps and commit resources to create lasting change.