International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts

We, the Executive Board of the International Association of the Fantastic in the Arts, affirm that systemic racism has and continues to cause the Black community in the United States to suffer inequality, oppression, and injustice, inflicting both psychological and physical violence upon them. We support and stand with the BLM movement and all those who oppose and protest racism. As an organization of professional creators, educators, and scholars, we feel we have an obligation to do our part to dismantle systemic racism in this country, to exemplify the change we wish to see. While we have always tried to be inclusive, we recognize that more is needed. The IAFA is therefore committing itself with renewed energy to racial equity in our own organizational practices; toward that end, we will be moving forward with a number of specific new initiatives to support people of color in our community. These include but are not limited to: a conference on the theme of African diasporic voices in the speculative genres, a travel grant for people of color to attend the ICFA, the formation of a Presidential Inclusivity Committee by and for marginalized groups to propose solutions for the under-representation of people of color in our organization and at our conference. Further information will be forthcoming as we proceed. We commit to actively recruiting membership, attendance and participation from organizations that represent people of color and other marginalized groups.