Black History Month is a time to acknowledge the history, and celebrate the achievements, of those in the African American community. It seemed fitting to shine a light on a local group who has been working toward building a more equitable community in Clallam County.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are built in to Peninsula College’s Mission, Vision and Core Themes, and can be seen front and center in our teaching and learning process. By partnering with programs like Magic of Cinema and Studium Generale, The Port Angeles Racial Justice Collective has engaged students and the community in important discussions on race, colonialism, marginalized populations and dismantling systemic racism.
We support their mission and will continue to hold space for those who “uplift the voices of black, indigenous and people of color.”
Sincerely,
Luke Robins
Peninsula College President
Port Angeles Racial Justice Collective
What was known as the “Racial Justice Discussion Group” was formed in Port Angeles in 2015.
In 2016, we changed our name to “Port Angeles Racial Justice Collective” because we wanted to begin to take action in the community. We chose “Port Angeles” to be specific to the place where we are focusing our work. We chose “Collective” to describe how we organize.
The Port Angeles Racial Justice Collective works to understand, unlearn and dismantle racism and the institutions that perpetuate it. We envision and work towards a society without domination and oppression. We seek to hold a safe space for our community members and uplift the voices of black, indigenous and people of color.
PARJC is an informal association of volunteers. What we accomplish is based on the capacity of our individual effort strengthened by our ability to work as a group. Recognizing our limited capacity, we try to leverage other institutions to move toward racial justice, and we support each other in making that change.
PARJC currently has six project committees. Their work includes an educational book club, looking at equity work in the Port Angeles School District and local government, offering anti-racism workshops, and supporting cultural groups organized by prisoners inside Clallam Bay Correctional Center. These groups are comprised of volunteers who share common goals.
For more information about our collective, please email us at RacialJusticeCollective@gmail.com.
You can also visit our Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/PortangelesRJC/
