AWP posted on Twitter this evening that Vanessa Place has been removed from the committee. Never let anyone tell you that internet activism doesn't work! It isn't the only kind of activism, to be sure, but I can't imagine this issue being brought to the attention of so many--and resolved--so quickly without the internet. I love picket signs and flyers as much as the next radical, but you have to use the right tools for each job. That said, this is, of course, only a small battle in the larger war of confronting racism in our communities. Even in this particular instance, the question remains why AWP felt that Place's work warranted her a position on their committee in the first place. We must continue to hold institutions like this to the standards of diversity and inclusivity they aspire to. We white folks are born into racism; it is our duty to educate ourselves and reject that awful birthright. It is our ignorance of the structures of discrimination around us that allows something like this to happen. Stay vigilant! One excellent way to do this is to keep up with the Mongrel Coalition Against Gringpo ( http://gringpo.com/ ), who first called attention to this issue. Follow them on twitter @AgainstGringpo And, to continue giving credit where it's due: the bulk of the text for this petition was adapted from a letter written by Shane McCrae, with contributions from Lee Ann Roripaugh, and editorial input from many others. Keep fighting the good fight!