ASEEES Statement Condemning Systemic Racism and Police Brutality

Published June 4, 2020

The Executive Committee and the Committee for the Advocacy of Diversity and Inclusion of the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies issued the following statement:

The Association for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) condemns the brutal killing of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Darnesha Harris, Tamir Rice and many others. We further condemn the decision of local police to resort to coercion in response to the protests and the inflammatory actions by the US administration. We stand in solidarity with Black and other marginalized communities in this moment of collective action against systemic violence directed at people of color by police. We recognize that the dehumanization directed against Black people in the US is a legacy of our history of slavery and a horrifying consequence of racism.

As scholars and students of Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasian history and society, we have gained intimate knowledge of the atrocities committed by authoritarian regimes, which have deployed military and secret police to deprive people of their rights of association and expression. But we also study people who engage in courageous individual and collective acts against such regimes, in some cases leading to revolution. Crucially, we are familiar with rulers who declare that protestors deserve the coercion used against them and squash the protests, leading to more authoritarianism. This should never happen in a democracy.

As our democracy is in crisis, we declare that it is more important than ever to engage in reflection and meaningful action to bring more diversity, and to create spaces where scholars of color in our field, and beyond, feel empowered to center marginalized perspectives and can thrive as researchers and educators. This is a time to reflect on the history of our Association, work to undo systemic inequalities, become more inclusive and protect our colleagues whose race or economic situation makes them vulnerable in our society.

As an association based in the US, a proclaimed democracy, we have the freedom and the moral responsibility to stand up for justice. As researchers and educators, we are committed to dialogue, reflection, and public engagement. We call upon our members to use their expertise both in the classroom and in public forums to engage in discussions on race and racial justice. Scholarship and creative work can be powerful tools in the struggle against racism and racialized violence, and today we must use them in this way. We also affirm that we will redouble our efforts to create a safe, equitable and just community in every place where we live, study, teach and work, beginning in our own organization and field.

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The Executive Committee of ASEEES has also signed the AHA Statement on the History of Racist Violence and the MLA Statement Deploring Systemic Racism.


Translation of this Statement

We thank the volunteer translators for translating the above statement.

Armenian Translation

Georgian Translation

Hungarian Translation

Qarapalpaq Translation

Romanian Translation

Russian Translation

Serbian Translation

Slovak Translation

Ukrainian Translation

Uzbek Translation


Relevant Resources and Statements

Committee for the Advocacy of Diversity and Inclusion (CADI) As part of its commitment to supporting inclusivity and diversity within the profession, the ASEEES Executive Committee approved the mission of CADI in 2018, following on the work of the Association for Diversity in Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies. CADI-sponsored activities promote the inclusion of diverse perspectives and identities in the work of ASEEES. ASEEES is committed to continuing this work.

CADI is currently working on programs and actions that highlight the work by scholars of color as well as the topic of race and racism in our field.

ASEEES Statement on Diversity and Inclusion 

ASEEES Statement against racism and intolerance 2017

MLA Antiracist Teaching Resources for Your 2020-2021 - This is a new collaborative site on the Humanities Commons. Please submit resources. If you are registered on the ASEEES Commons, you automatically have access to the Humanities Commons. Or you can register on the Humanities Commons directly.