EIC Calls for Structural Inequity Changes
By Anya Dani, Anisha Gupta, and the Equity & Inclusion Committee
The Equity & Inclusion Committee (EIC) is actively working to combat structural inequity within AIC in partnership with individual members, AIC and FAIC staff and boards, and volunteer leaders committed to this work. The dual pandemics of COVID- 19 and racial injustice have laid bare the unjust structures and systems that affect every corner of our society, which have repeatedly failed people from marginalized groups. The conservation field is not immune to structural racism. In fact, it should be expected that inequitable structures are embedded into our field given our history founded on western standards and colonialism. Although this article focuses on AIC, many of the themes can be applied more broadly to cultural heritage organizations and institutions.
It is common knowledge that the demographics of the conservation field do not reflect the diversity of our society and this is borne out by demographic data (Figures 1 and 2). Even if unintentional, AIC’s decisions and culture have resulted in people from historically underrepresented groups feeling either indifferent to or (worse) not welcome in the organization. AIC must evolve in order to stay relevant. Read the lead article >