Dear STREB Community,
We are writing this week from a place of deep heartache, frustration and contemplation. As an organization grounded in values of risk, action and access, STREB stands with the millions of protesters around the world condemning all forms of anti-black racism, discrimination and brutality which have taken the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and too many others. We know a statement of solidarity and an affirmation that Black Lives Matter is inadequate - as does a day, or even a week or a month of pause and protest. This is not a new problem, and working towards a solution is a marathon. We know that, like a muscle, strength and change takes work not only today, but more importantly, the consistent commitment to these values even as we face into the wind.
Since opening SLAM in 2003, we have made it our agenda to represent and embrace the world on our stage. But we recognize we have a lot of work ahead; that access and representation are only the beginning of the journey; and that our dedication to equality and justice must continue insistently towards ensuring authentic inclusion and investment, and ensuring everyone has the tools they need to succeed, thrive, evolve and lead.
Our chosen path of activism is through extreme action - our willingness to face fear and take risks. By doing these things physically, we hope to empower our community with the tools to take risk, and be empowered in the world in other ways. But we also double down on our commitment to our artists, our staff, our community and the world to continue the hard work that will bend history towards justice. We commit to this first internally with more education, discourse and training. We commit to training not only our bodies, but our minds and souls to be stronger - to be willing to step towards the edge, past our comfort zone, to be willing to “get a little hurt,” get uncomfortable, make others a little uncomfortable, to amplify, elevate and progress.
STREB
