An Anti-Racist Union
Molding Equity into an anti-racist organization should be a top priority for us all. Following the leadership of BIPOC activists in such organizations as #weseeyouWAT and the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, I will support a variety of efforts to make AEA more equitable.
A huge problem in our union is representation. In 2017, Equity released its first-ever study of the way its contracts are broken down along racial and gender lines. This study, which can be viewed here, analyzed all Equity contracts from 2013 to 2015 and found that 71% of on-stage jobs went to Caucasian members. 74% of all stage management contracts went to Caucasians. Our membership, too, is overwhelmingly white, at 68%. For reference, the US population is only 60% white (and growing less white annually), which means non-white people are underrepresented by 8% in our membership, and by an even larger margin on contracts. These trends cannot be allowed to continue. Making membership within our ranks more accessible is a good way to start correcting this, but AEA should do more to be a leader in the charge to end white supremacy.
Equity must become a truly anti-racist organization, and thus, in keeping with the demands of #weseeyouWAT, I would push the Union to mandate anti-racism training for all employees, elected officials, and committee chairs. I would also push Equity to include anti-racism training at the beginning of every rehearsal process, across all contracts. Further, Equity's existing harassment hotline's purpose should be expanded to explicitly address racial harassment as well as other forms of harassment.
I am a white Jewish woman; my place is not at the center of these conversations. I am not an authority on BIPOC issues or demands, and I will never have those lived experiences. If you are planning on voting for me, I ask that you also research and vote for BIPOC Delegate candidates as well, so our Convention's makeup is diverse and representative of all backgrounds and experiences. As a delegate, I will proudly support the ideas and suggestions of BIPOC delegates and activists, and follow their lead to help make Equity an anti-racist force in our industry.
Molding Equity into an anti-racist organization should be a top priority for us all. Following the leadership of BIPOC activists in such organizations as #weseeyouWAT and the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, I will support a variety of efforts to make AEA more equitable.
A huge problem in our union is representation. In 2017, Equity released its first-ever study of the way its contracts are broken down along racial and gender lines. This study, which can be viewed here, analyzed all Equity contracts from 2013 to 2015 and found that 71% of on-stage jobs went to Caucasian members. 74% of all stage management contracts went to Caucasians. Our membership, too, is overwhelmingly white, at 68%. For reference, the US population is only 60% white (and growing less white annually), which means non-white people are underrepresented by 8% in our membership, and by an even larger margin on contracts. These trends cannot be allowed to continue. Making membership within our ranks more accessible is a good way to start correcting this, but AEA should do more to be a leader in the charge to end white supremacy.
Equity must become a truly anti-racist organization, and thus, in keeping with the demands of #weseeyouWAT, I would push the Union to mandate anti-racism training for all employees, elected officials, and committee chairs. I would also push Equity to include anti-racism training at the beginning of every rehearsal process, across all contracts. Further, Equity's existing harassment hotline's purpose should be expanded to explicitly address racial harassment as well as other forms of harassment.
I am a white Jewish woman; my place is not at the center of these conversations. I am not an authority on BIPOC issues or demands, and I will never have those lived experiences. If you are planning on voting for me, I ask that you also research and vote for BIPOC Delegate candidates as well, so our Convention's makeup is diverse and representative of all backgrounds and experiences. As a delegate, I will proudly support the ideas and suggestions of BIPOC delegates and activists, and follow their lead to help make Equity an anti-racist force in our industry.
