AJE Statement on Black Lives Matter Movement

The AJE Forum Board is a group of graduate students committed to education at all levels. We represent a wide range of disciplines/fields within education ranging from policy, educational theory, curriculum, higher education, international education, educational philosophy, adult education, and more. We are committed to racial justice and reform, specifically within educational spaces. Over the past few weeks, we have been reflecting on the recent events and collective movement centering George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless other Black lives that have been lost. We have been silent for too long. We are now standing up, speaking out, and committing to act against all forms of oppression, discrimination, and bias. 

As a Forum, we recognize that white supremacy, systemic and individual racism have no place in our nation, in our educational systems, and in our work. Moving forward, we are making the commitment to investigate our own mission and policies to dig deep into who we are as a Forum and who we want to be. 

Some of the ways we will begin that work is by 

• committing to centering Black scholars in our work, 
• taking steps to ensure that Black scholars are invited and welcomed to the AJE Forum, 
• curating pieces that reflect current issues related to racial and social justice, and economic equality,
• analyzing past pieces to identify gaps and biases, and 
• advocating for and amplifying the voices of all those affected by racism and the intersections of systemic oppression.

As a Forum, we have a long road ahead of us. We encourage our fellow members and readers to support us on our journey as critical friends. Call us in and call us out.