The International Student House of Washington, DC was established in 1936 by individuals who believed that action was needed to address segregation in the nation’s capital, which shut the doors of most rooming houses to people of color. It has been 85 years since we opened our doors, and systemic racism continues.
We unequivocally denounce racism and any form of discrimination that would place the life of anyone above the life of another because of the color of their skin. We will continue to be a House where discourse on challenging and dismantling racism is welcomed and expected.
As we consider what we have done to be a part of this conversation, we are engaging in honest reflection of what we can and should be doing better.
In the future, we will continue to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in our scholarship programs; and serve as a platform to highlight the contributions that minorities and people of color make to promoting peace and understanding through our programming and events.
Additionally, while serving as a space for difficult conversations and much needed learning, we will look to partner with organizations and causes that are leading the efforts to combat racism and inequality. We will also focus on ensuring our vendors, team, and leadership are as diverse as the society we work and live in.
The foundation of our mission is to be a “highly diverse community,” and we must ensure that our actions are reflective of our words.
