NYSAVT Stands in Solidarity with our African American members and the African American community

A Letter from the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians

June 9, 2020

Today we are voicing our unequivocal commitment to stand in solidarity with our African American members and the African American community and are united in the fight against persistent and systemic racism, violence and racial injustice that disproportionately impact communities of color. We call upon our members to do the same because Black Lives Matter. 

Veterinary Medicine is one of the least diverse professions, with people of color comprising only 9% of the entire veterinary profession.  However, we serve a richly diverse public representing myriad ethnic, national, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. What impacts society at large impacts us as a profession, and racism, racial injustice and racist violence are an all-too-real reality for African Americans and other people of color.  In the wake of the horrific murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and sadly, too many others, passive observation and quiet disapproval are no longer options. Standing on the sidelines serves only to embolden the forces that drive inequality and systemic intolerance. We must instead stand in the gap. It is incumbent on us collectively as members to not only condemn but to also call out racial injustice in all its forms everywhere. Individually, we must examine our own beliefs and make concerted and constructive steps in our personal lives to be part of the solution.

A portion of our oath as Licensed Veterinary Technicians states that we dedicate ourselves to ‘aiding animals and society by providing excellent care and services for animals, by alleviating animal suffering, and promoting public health.’ Racial injustice and violence against people of color are public health crises.  When our patients hurt, we help heal. That is compassionate humanity.  If we collectively disagree with inhumanity to animals, why would we ever put up with inhumanity to people?

The roots, manifestations and ramifications of racism are painful and far-reaching.  But we must have the difficult conversations - with others and introspectively, with ourselves.  The New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians is committed to doing everything in our power to demonstrate our unwavering support for the entirety of our African American membership and the larger African American veterinary community across the country.  We hope you will join us in this call to action.

Listen, Learn, Amplify, Act.

Please consider the resources below to help expand your understanding and empower yourself to be part of the solution:

READ

• Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
•  How to Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
•  White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, Ph.D. https://youtu.be/45ey4jgoxeU
•  Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence:  Understanding and Facilitating Difficult Dialogues on Race (Paperback) by Derald Wing Sue
• Benign Bigotry: The Psychology of Subtle Prejudice (Paperback) by Kristin J. Anderson
•  An Anti-Racist Reading List compiled by Ibram X. Kendi for The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/books/review/antiracist-reading-list-ibram-xkendi.html
•  7 Anti-Racist Books Recommended by Educators and Activists (New York Magazine) https://nymag.com/strategist/article/anti-racist-reading-list.html

LISTEN (PODCASTS)

• The Stoop
•  Our National Conversation About Race 
•  Intersection with Jamil Smith
•  Code Switch

WATCH

• Professor Megan Ming Francis on Getting to the Root of Racial Injustice
  (20 mins): https://bit.ly/30zHSEj
•  Heather C. McGhee on the Economic Impact of Racism (14 mins) - https://bit.ly/2zgSXyB
•  Luvvie Ajayi on Getting Uncomfortable and Learning to Speak Up (11 mins) - https://bit.ly/2XLKZHl