Out of Hand’s Commitment to Anti-Racism

Out of Hand Theater is choosing Anti-Racism. We are choosing to use our expertise in theater to usher our city, our state, and our nation to the intersection of arts, social justice, and civic engagement in service to building a culture of Anti-Racism.

We are compelled by the legacy of Atlanta, Georgia, the traditional land of the Creek Indian People; known as the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement. If there is anywhere to take a stand for Anti-Racism, it is here: The city where Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr, Former Ambassador Andrew Young, and Congressman John Lewis built the infrastructure for what is known as the Black mecca. A title given to name a city that has been known as a center for Black wealth, higher education, political power and culture. Home of the first successful African American daily newspaper in the United States. Home of The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Morris Brown College, the first College in Georgia established by Blacks, and Sweet Auburn, known as the “richest Negro street in the world,” by John Wesley Dobbs, and home to The King Center, founded by Coretta Scott King. 

We are increasingly aware that the city of Atlanta has the greatest income disparity in the United States, and those inequities impact African Americans at the highest rates. As an organization with a legacy of white leadership, Out of Hand Theater recognizes we are still at the beginning of our journey. As a company working in racial justice, we are obligated to do more. While we have collaborated with many community partners to address structural and systemic inequities and injustices in Metro Atlanta, we must take an even more committed stand.

We make no claims to be experts in Anti-Racism or race equity. We are committed to be students and continue on a path of learning, and we are committed to take actions in alignment with the future we are committed to creating.

To this end, we’ve decided to formally adopt the following definition of race equity, authored by the Equitable Dinners Design Team. Additionally, we are adopting the following four KEY MESSAGES of racism from Design Team member Dr. Camara Jones:

  • Racism exists

  • Racism is a system. 

  • Racism saps the strength of the whole society.

  • We can act to dismantle systemic racism.

Racial Equity: Racial equity is assurance that all people, especially indigenous people, Black people, and other people of color, live in a world that acknowledges our full humanity and where we all have the power to operate from a place of light, abundance, and aspiration. Achieving racial equity requires:

  • Valuing all individuals and populations equally 

  • Recognizing and Rectifying  historical injustices 

  • Providing resources according to need 

Racial disparities will be eliminated when racial equity is achieved 

We are committed to the following shared values: 

  • Promoting a culture of appreciation and strengths-based feedback

  • Being open to multiple perspectives and direct communication

  • Knowing good leadership equals equitable power sharing 

  • Ensuring equitable and equal learning opportunities for all employees and the board of directors

  • Promoting a culture of well being for all employees 

  • Valuing the empowerment of all people, especially Black people, indigenous people and all people of color 

  • Fostering meaningful partnerships promoting liberation and justice for all

  • Reducing inequities and inequalities in the communities we serve (From the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development)