Ongoing protests in Canada and around the world against anti-Black racism and police brutality highlight the systemic and persistent inequalities that plague our campuses, communities, and country. During this period of anger, protest, and solidarity in the McGill area and beyond, there is a serious need for all organizations to reflect on how they have been complicit in systems of racism and culpable in marginalizing the important perspectives of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour). In addition, organizations must articulate what actionable steps will be taken to stand against racism and oppression.
As on-campus publications, the MJPS (this references both our Online and Print platforms unless otherwise stated) has significant influence in determining what political analysis is introduced and amplified in public discourse, shaping the opinions of our broad readership on pertinent issues and providing truth and context to conversations that are often derailed by false narratives.
MJPS takes up important space on campus in its training of future analysts and in its creation of a community for political debate and intellectual growth. We recognize that we have in the past failed to adequately represent members of marginalized communities in our staff. In doing so, we have contributed to inequity among political science students in terms of the visibility of their work.
MJPS must ensure it does not gate keep a platform intended to provide for the free exchange of information and opinion.
We stand in solidarity with protesters against racism and state violence, and all those demanding a more equitable and fair society. We commit to amplifying voices that are too often marginalized and addressing institutional racism and other forms of discrimination within our own organization.
To enshrine this commitment, we have published a Code of Ethics – effective today, that holds us accountable to critical and deliberate political analysis, equity, transparency, and accountability.
Among other points detailed in the Code of Ethics, we are committed to the following actions:
- Producing critically considered, accurate and quality political analysis, especially at a time when misinformation and false narratives that endanger marginalized folks are rampant
- Amplifying and recruiting diverse voices to our publication
- Implementing a holistic recruitment process that includes an equitable hiring process and outreach to underrepresented communities on campus
- Implementing a standardized process for reviewing, correcting or removing articles if deemed retroactively necessary by staff or if the community calls on us to do so
We hope these steps will show solidarity in more than just our words, but also through an encoded commitment to using our influence on campus to promote justice and equality.
Image by Taymaz Valley via Flikr