ARER is publishing a special issue on the intersection of social justice with agriculture, food, natural resources, rural communities, development, and the environment. The attached call for papers highlights several research themes that are especially welcome. The closing date for submissions is November 1, 2020. Invited contributors include Jill McCluskey, Samuel Myers Jr., Ruth Uwaifo Oyelere, and Maximo Torero. The guest editors are Angelino Viceisza and Miesha Williams.

NAREA leadership denounces the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, whose deaths follow a horrifying pattern laid out by our country's history of anti-Black racism and structural inequities. We condemn police brutality. We stand with the families of the victims and with all of those who cry out for justice and for an end to systemic racism.

We are committed to lending our voices to this fight. Environmental quality and natural resource conservation are of little value if their fruits are not shared equitably. Environmental justice depends on social justice, and on an end to racial inequity. The fight against structural racism requires the contributions of all of us as individuals, and NAREA as an organization.

NAREA has made efforts to address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our association and in our profession but we know that these are just small, starting steps. We recognize that we need to do more to end anti-Black racism and racial injustices in our communities and beyond. We are committed to redoubling our efforts in this fight. We commit to unflaggingly pursuing projects that increase racial diversity, and that make NAREA a more inclusive community. Specifically, we will: host a session at each annual NAREA conference that addresses racial and social inequities; put out a call for papers for a special issue on social justice in the NAREA journal ARER; and engage more Black scholars and other scholars of color in NAREA leadership and initiatives like our mentoring program CAM.

We call on all NAREA members to join us in this effort, and look forward to hearing from you on other concrete steps that NAREA can take to further these goals. To share your ideas and contribute to these efforts, please attend the listening session at the 2020 virtual annual meeting from 1:00-2:00pm on Wednesday, June 17th (register here to attend this session via Zoom).  You may also contact any member of the leadership team or the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

The racial injustices in our world are real and have persisted for generations, perpetuated by people, practices and institutions. Our profession and our association are microcosms of that world. We will work tirelessly to create the change we all seek, and we are grateful for your partnership in this endeavor.

Sincerely,

NAREA Presidents and Board members