Volume 15, Number 3, Winter 2020Breaking the Silence: Action Steps for Eradicating Racism in CSD AUTHOR:
ABSTRACT As racially motivated violence in our country toward its Black citizens is being exposed with alarming frequency, so are the structures that uphold this violence. During these unprecedented times, members of our Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) community have courageously shared their stories of racial prejudice and discrimination. These experiences of injustice should not be normalized as they have a negative impact on the members of our community who are already severely marginalized due to lack of diversity in our field. This lack of diversity has a direct correlation with the negative experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals who are working to become Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. In response, it is time that we as a community take action to engage in the work of being anti-racist. It is imperative that the field of CSD acknowledge the actions that are enabling systemic racism on a National, University, and personal level. After acknowledging these actions, strides toward accountability must be enacted. Embracing anti-racism and the responsibility of creating a truly equitable field is no small assignment. However, it is a long overdue duty that is within our reach, should the majority be willing to do the work. DOI: DOWNLOAD FULL ARTICLE |