NCA LSI Commitment to IDEA (inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access)

The NCA LSI division recognizes the deep-seated inequalities that pervade academia in relation to race, particularly anti-black racism, and intersecting oppressions of colonialism, ableism, colorism, heterocentrism, sexism, linguistic discrimination, and economic and educational inequities. We align with others in communication studies who, prompted by recent manifestations of ongoing anti-Black racism and violence, anti-Asian hate, and xenophobia, are reflecting on inequities in their divisions and instilling anti-racist practices. The aims of these practices are to help dismantle inequities in ways that support and celebrate those most marginalized in the field of Communication, and in academia more broadly. We held an NCA LSI Racial Justice RoundTable Session in November 2021 at NCA in Seattle, WA, and the below NCA LSI-specific commitments are a product of the conversations during that session. These will be updated over time to best reflect our division’s ongoing work on the development and implementation of anti-racist practices: 

As scholars committed to recognizing the importance of everyday practices for constituting and changing social realities, we orient to anti-racism as an ongoing achievement, one that requires constant reflection and work. Through our practices, we are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive, accessible space that supports the varying needs of our members. The underlying values guiding our practices include (a) valuing difficult, yet productive conversations that reflect on inequities in our division and how to remedy them through interpersonal and structural changes, (b) celebrating work that uses LSI approaches to address issues of (anti-)racism and other inequalities, and (c)practicing radical hospitality to make new members feel welcome in our community. We invite scholars interested in intersections between language, race, and inequality to submit their work to our division, attend our meetings, and/or participate in our socials and mentorship programs to learn more about us. We also invite current and new members to hold us accountable for maintaining an inclusive, welcoming space for all, and particularly those most marginalized in academia.