ASP Statement of Solidarity

The UAMS Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology stands in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color during this time of heightened cultural awakening to years of societal oppression and systemic racism. We support our colleagues, students, clients and patients of color. We join in mourning the unjust deaths of countless Black Americans who have suffered from systemic racism throughout the years. We, as an academic department, commit to examining and re-examining biases within ourselves, our policies and procedures, and metrics aligned with ensuring student access and success. We commit to educating ourselves and our students to ensure increased diversity, equity, and inclusion within our department; and thus, society at large. We commit to learn and change as we actively listen to the lived experiences of persons from oppressed minority groups. We further commit to recognizing, understanding, and educating others about the societal and systemic obstacles facing individual at the intersection of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, ability, culture, religion, and national origin.