DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT
Since its inception, motorsport has been influenced by a narrow demographic. To promote diversity and inclusion in ourselves and in our community, we stress the importance of leading by example and creating an open learning environment. Because problem-solving ingenuity isn’t tied to seniority, race, gender, sexual orientation, or culture; Cal Poly Racing aims to teach anyone willing the skills needed to positively influence their future endeavors.
WE WILL NOT BE SILENT
BLACK LIVES MATTER.
The members of our club are heartbroken and angry about the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and many other acts of violence perpetrated against the Black community. These injustices remind us of the racism that has deeply rooted itself in our world. In the past, Cal Poly Racing has been indifferent to numerous inequities, even ones in our own backyard; but we will no longer allow ourselves to sit in silence. We stand in solidarity with the Black community and the Black Lives Matter movement.
We recognize that Cal Poly Racing has historically been a primarily white and male institution. Our history has been tainted with inaction to the oppression around and within the club, and as the outgoing and incoming presidents, we seek to incite change towards equality. We are committing to making Cal Poly Racing a more welcoming and all-inclusive club where racism, sexism, classism, ableism, or any discrimination of any sort based on race, religion, gender identity/presentation, sexuality will not be tolerated. We will not turn a blind eye to or contribute to the injustice that surrounds us.
As one of the largest engineering clubs on campus, here are a few steps Cal Poly Racing plans to take to use our voice and change:
-
Reaching out to the College of Engineering calling for the education and training of students and faculty in anti-racism and implicit bias.
-
Create by-laws for the club that include a zero-tolerance policy to hateful comments or actions by any member of the club. Perpetrators will face removal from club activities and reporting to the College of Engineering.
-
Include a discussion on our continual commitment to making Cal Poly Racing a welcoming community in every meeting or event that we have a voice.
In order to become anti-racist and support those who have been marginalized by society’s system, we all must take action. Now is not the time to stay silent; use your voice and stand against injustice.
Sincerely,
Raymond Deng (rcdeng@calpoly.edu) and
Allyse Birken (abirken@calpoly.edu)