Pembroke JCR Statement on Black Lives Matter

NEWS |

Pembroke JCR stands in solidarity with the family of George Floyd, the families of countless Black individuals who have been murdered by the police both in the US and here in the UK, and the communities who have been impacted relentlessly by racism–covert, overt, institutional and individual. We stand in solidarity with protesters across the globe.  

We recognise the active role that a privileged institution such as the University of Oxford continues to play in sustaining the conditions that allow racism to persist. We condemn both the University and the College’s complicity in this as well as our own JCR’s shortcomings in addressing this.  

We are aware that as a community there is much to be done: we acknowledge that we have not done enough, and we promise to do more–solidarity is important but rendered redundant without tangible change. A list of actions has been circulated to JCR members. 

We urge our community to reflect on their own privileges, and to use them for the benefit of others. Suggested resources have been circulated to all our members, including information on educating, donating, taking action, supporting the black community and protesting.  These were shared to help better educate our community and highlight a few donation channels that can be used to help facilitate change effectively. This list is by no means comprehensive. 

We’d like to remind members of our JCR who have been affected by recent events that they can access both the Welfare team and Peers of Colour for support.  Further information on sources of support has been circulated to members by our Welfare Reps.

We also urge all those who are able to donate to Black Minds Matter UK to ensure Black people across the country have access to professional support. 

Peter Corti, JCR President
on behalf of the Pembroke College Oxford JCR