Statement from The George Institute on Black Lives Matter

The values we believe in guide our work at The George Institute. We oppose discrimination of any kind.

We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and against the unjust treatment towards any marginalised group.

Solidarity is key to challenging injustice. We all must get comfortable having uncomfortable conversations. Racism is an insidious disease that no one is immune to and we each have a role in being a part of the cure.

As an Australian founded and headquartered organisation we must reflect upon Australia’s history and ongoing racism towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Since the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody there have been over 432 deaths in custody of First Nations Peoples within Australia. Now more than ever we must acknowledge this injustice and take meaningful steps to reconcile systemic racism.  

The George Institute heeds the words of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as expressed within the Uluru Statement from the Heart, “It captures our aspirations for a fair and truthful relationship with the people of Australia and a better future for our children based on justice and self-determination.”

As we come to the end of the annual Reconciliation Week in Australia, we must remember that true reconciliation means committing to ongoing reflection, ongoing listening and ongoing action. In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”