CCIDS Statement on Celebration of Juneteenth

ORONO, ME — The Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS) stands in celebration of Juneteenth (PDF).

During this time of worldwide protests and the raising of black and brown voices against individual, systemic, and institutional racism, CCIDS recognizes both the progress that the celebration of Juneteenth represents and the work that’s still in front of us.

Social justice is core to the CCIDS mission, which reads in part, “As agents for social change, we believe in self-determination and advocacy for people with disabilities, and we are committed to community inclusion, interdependence, and the recognition of each person’s ability to contribute to society.” Disability is also distributed disproportionately by race.

Our social justice commitments do not stop at the boundaries of the disability community. We recognize that disparity and injustice are compounded for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color who also experience disability. This puts people with disabilities who are also BIPOC at increased risk for harm and violence from police.

CCIDS has relationships with minority-led organizations in Maine, including Black-led organizations, and we endeavor to infuse racial justice into our training programs. As CCIDS focuses on its mission of research, education, service, and dissemination in developmental disability, we renew our commitment to expand these activities.

Black lives matter.