We stand in solidarity.

[This message originally sent to our Dance Exchange mailing list on June 3, 2020]

Dear Dance Exchange Community,

We grieve together over the murders of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, David McAtee and the countless Black lives taken before this moment. 

We stand in solidarity with Black artists, colleagues, leaders, mentors, Dance Exchange alumnx, partners, and organizers. 

Dance Exchange recognizes that the grief, anger, pain, and exhaustion that is being experienced by so many erupts not from one moment in time but from generations upon generations of systematic racism and the destructive acts of white supremacy. We uplift those joining together in the sacred act of protest—all while facing escalating police brutality and the disproportionate impacts of the pandemic. We align ourselves with you and all those working not only to seek justice for these senseless killings but also to protect and uphold the undeniable truth that Black Lives Matter.  

In the coming days and weeks, we commit to listening deeply to, amplifying the voices of, and shaping our actions based on the leadership of Black artists, colleagues, and friends. We stand with you, and move with you toward a more embodied, resilient, and just world. 

You can expect to hear more from us as we move through the work ahead together—and we hope to hear from you too. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch with your feedback, resources, and contributions.

In solidarity, 
Dance Exchange