HUCTW leaders are committed to advocating for and supporting all of our members regardless of any given member’s race, religion, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, country of origin, immigration status, or political views. The HUCTW Anti-Racism Group (ARG) is an internal Union team made up of HUCTW organizers that meets regularly to examine issues related to race, equity, inclusion, and diversity in the Harvard workplace and strives to develop ways that our Union can help to fight racism and discrimination in our community. The ARG adamantly stands against white supremacy and for a diverse and equitable workplace where all of our community members feel respected, included, and valued.
ARG Mission
We are dedicated to a thorough and clear-eyed examination of the longstanding systems of white supremacy and differential treatment based on race that pervade our community.
Using quantitative and qualitative data and resources, we strive to understand, name, and redress the harmful effects of institutional racism at Harvard University, both for our membership and for the community at large.
We seek to normalize conversations about race and white supremacy within HUCTW and the greater University, center the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and use this work to help build community. In this way we can support and advocate for our members of color as we work to remove the barriers and limitations that have historically existed in the Harvard workplace, which cause inequity and divisiveness. This commitment to build an explicitly anti-racist organization is ongoing and crucial to the development of a healthy and safe work environment for members across the University.
Our Goals
- Support our members of color, find out what they need.
- Educate ourselves and support internal anti-racist work.
- Gather information through organizing, focus groups, surveys, data analysis.
- Create relationships of trust with people of color: outreach, one-on-one conversations, groups.
- Focus on inclusion and belonging, ensuring that members know they are valued and respected in our community, and know that their stories and experiences are believed.
- Work towards our goals, while knowing this is ongoing work that requires persistence and commitment, not a one-time effort.
Our Work to Date
- Creating a dedicated HUCTW DEI & Anti-Racism Advocate, who provides confidential support and problem solving for members, particularly around issues of race, equity, and inclusion (further details below).
- Prioritizing the development of BIPOC Union activists and organizers of color.
- Designing and launching anti-racism pilot programs for HUCTW members, including book discussions, workshops, focus groups.
- Researching and facilitating anti-racism trainings and workshops for HUCTW organizing staff.
- Connecting with Harvard schools and departments and Harvard Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Antiracism (EDIBA) offices and contacts to provide HUCTW representation in university settings.
- Statement on the Black Lives Matter movement: https://huctw.org/black-lives-matter
- Statement on Police Unions: https://huctw.org/statement-on-police-unions
HUCTW DEI & Anti-Racism Advocate
Tasha Williams, HUCTW DEI & Anti-Racism Advocate
Responsible for leading HUCTW’s efforts to promote a culture of inclusion and belonging where union members and activists from all racial and ethnic identities, ages, nationalities, social and economic status, sexual orientations, gender identity/expressions, religious, political and ideological perspectives, as well as physical and mental abilities are able to thrive and feel supported as they participate in HUCTW and Harvard’s important work.- Helping to create best practices that advance an organizational culture of anti-racism while working to remove barriers and limits that have historically been in place for underrepresented and marginalized members of color within the Harvard workplace