We at Dixon Place condemn violence perpetrated on all oppressed groups, from the unconscionable murder of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) by police to the systemic institutional racism that perpetuates inequity and injustice. We recognize the centuries long destructive history of white supremacy in this country, and we acknowledge how silence and passivity enable the preservation of this power structure.

Dixon Place is identified as an anti-racist, inclusive organization, claims inclusivity as our mandate, and strives to create an equitable home for BIPOC artists. Yet we acknowledge that we are complicit in perpetuating insidious institutionalized racism that prevails within white led establishments.

As an organization with white leadership, we acknowledge the privilege and opportunity we have received and benefited from. We realize this is a time for self-reflection on how we have been complicit in creating this moment. We must do more to be an effective participant in the collective fight for justice. We must challenge and dismantle any aspect of our work that inhibits the advancement of racial equity.

Dixon Place is pursuing actionable steps to proactively participate in dismantling racism within our organization and the current paradigms that exist in American theater. We commit to engaging more BIPOC in leadership and curatorial positions at DP. We aspire to cultivate deeper and more meaningful relationships with artists and audiences of color, and include more BIPOC visions and voices in our policies, practices, and programs.

We stand in solidarity with activists, organizers, and communities working to make change. Systemic racism and white supremacy must be stopped! This is an incredible moment in history and CHANGE IS HAPPENING. We entreat white people to take responsibility, reflect on your own complicity, listen, learn, join in and speak up. You CAN be part of this revolution!

Show up, support, and learn from artists like Nehprii Amenii (DP Artist in Residence) who wrote and directed Food for the Gods, a multimedia performance installation about “human value.” This three-part expression of rage, indifference, and celestial knowing, inspired by the killings of Black men, uses object and puppet performance to explore dehumanization, light, invisibility and well…the magical-less-ness of it all.

Support organizations that combat systemic racism in all forms. Learn more about them, donate, respond to their calls to action, and get involved today.

• Black Lives Matter
• Reclaim The Block
• Anti-Racism Project
• Dream Defenders

Grab your mask and hit the street. Participate in a peaceful protest in your area.

Get involved in the political process…
We must continue to pressure elected officials to hold law enforcement individuals accountable for their actions, abolish cash bail, ban for-profit prisons, and advocate for gun control.

Through eyewitness footage in the media, we’ve seen NYPD officers employ tear gas, pepper spray, and other violent measures against peaceful demonstrators. These officers must be held responsible, to the fullest extent of the law, for violence against civilians who exercise their democratic rights.

Please contact your elected officials and make your positions known to them. It’s a simple process and only takes a few minutes. Your voice does matter! They will respond!
(See below for contact info.)

• NY Governor Andrew Cuomo
• NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio
• Find Your State Senator
• Find Your State Assembly Member

Here are a few resources for tools, strategies and dialogue about racial equity:

• Race Equity and Inclusion Action Guide
• White Supremacy Culture in Organizations
• Talking About Race
• Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community