ASTRA STATEMENT ON BLACK LIVES MATTER

The members of ASTRA leadership emphatically join the millions world-wide supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. We stand in solidarity with the many voices that have risen in protest against anti-Black racism and the murders of Black Americans at the hands of police.  

As teachers and researchers of Swedish culture, we are acutely aware of Nordic histories of colonization, racism, including anti-indigenous racism, and current movements and doctrines rooted in white supremacy. ASTRA will work to investigate how we as educators, researchers, and mentors can better recognize and confront racism and racial inequalities in our curriculum and research. The lack of representation of people of color in the profession, student body and in the curricula in Swedish and Nordic studies is a perennial problem. ASTRA will dedicate itself to addressing these issues. 

We stand unequivocally in support of our colleagues and students of color, including indigenous groups and other minority populations that are targeted by racism. We insist that Black Lives Matter.