Education Commons^™

Celebrating Diversity Through A Multicultural Thanksgiving, Bria Lamonica

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

On the evening of Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, dozens of people celebrated Thanksgiving in the North Pod of the Memorial Union at the University of Maine to celebrate the annual Multicultural Thanksgiving potluck. Hosted and organized by the Office of Multicultural Student Life (OMSL) and the Student Heritage Alliance Council (SHAC), the purpose of this event was to celebrate and share the real meaning of Thanksgiving by bringing together people of all religions, cultures and ethnicities for a diverse meal. “This event is a great way to meet new people and experience foods and traditions from other countries and cultures. …

Daley Leads The Black Student Union's Quest To March In Dc, Jordan Houdeshell

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

The rain on Friday afternoon drove many people into the Memorial Union to socialize and do homework, but fourth-year Kirsten Daley didn’t mind the influx of people as she tabled and tried to raise funds for the Black Student Union’s (BSU) trip to Washington D.C. for the Unity March for Puerto Rico. “We are trying to go to DC to go to the Unity March for Puerto Rico to stand in solidarity with Puerto Rican hurricane survivors as well as protesting the Jones Act, which is keeping aid from getting into Puerto Rico where it needs to go,” Daley, who …

Cultural Appropriation And Costumes, Sam Tracy

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Every year the conversation about politically-correct Halloween costumes rears its ugly head, only to die down once the holiday is over. The conversation consists of one side claiming disrespect and insensitivity toward their cultures and identities, and the other side arguing about the limits of political correctness. In recent years, more and more college campuses are taking the subject seriously. So far, the University of Maine has not been one of them.

Editorial : Shifting National Culture Toward Inclusion And Apology, Sarah Allisot

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Portland, Maine will decide on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, whether to transition from celebrating Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day. Bangor voted for the switch in August this year, and Belfast first changed recognition in 2015. Several states and independent cities across the U.S. have also made the choice to change this celebration as well.

Political Correctness Is Incorrectness, Jonathan Petrie

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Gentrification is the idea of taking cheap, poor or underdeveloped areas and bringing them up to middle or higher class standards. It appears as progress, but it actuallydoes not address the underlying issues of poverty. As strange as this may sound, the Comedy Central cartoon “South Park” made me realize that there is another form of gentrification in our society – that is political correctness.

Racist Narratives During Natural Disasters, Sam Tracy

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Hurricane Harvey is the first Category 3 or higher hurricane to make landfall in the United States since 2005. The hurricane reached peak intensity as it hit southern Texas on Aug. 25, 2017 and barraged western Gulf states like Louisiana and Texas especially. With it, floods have destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced over 30 thousand people. At least 47 people are dead. Houston is particularly affected by flooding and many speculate the city will be uninhabitable for weeks to come. Economic estimates range from $10 billion to $190 billion, according to a report from the private weather firm AccuWeather. …

The Waiting Room Photo Shoot, Black Artists And Designers (Baad), Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Photos of The Waiting Room event participants with spa face masks and sliced cucumbers.

Opening text reads: Welcome to THE BAADEST Waiting Room, founded on May 3, 2017 in response to the blatant disrespect, and lethargic responses to BAAD's list of demands and the hours of free labor that SEA committee members volunteered in order to create concrete recommendations for the school to implement. We occupy this space as a display of discontent, disobedience, and radical self care in an institution that demands constant physical production. We demand that President Rosanne Somerson and administration members end the RISD cycle of …

Rhonda Y. Williams Lecture Poster, University Of Maine Office Of Multiculture Student Life

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Poster for Rhonda Y. Williams', professor of history and director of the Social Justice Institute at Case Western Reserve University Howard B. Schonberger Peace and Social Justice Lecture entitled "Concrete Demands: Black Power Histories and Legacies in the 21st Century". The lecture was held on April 6, 2017.

Protests Are Not Pretty Or Polite, Sam Tracy

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Protests are only supposed to be peaceful until your football team loses, then violence is free game. Protests are only allowed to be violent and chaotic until people of color have something to protest. Marginalized groups are given far less leeway for protests than their white neighbors. Only a minor part of institutionalized racism influences every aspect of black and brown life. In other words, it’s not just the criminal justice system and prisons, where the effects are most obvious, but in the media, education, economy and political system. It’s the invisible elephant in every room across the country.

Letter To Risd Community, Black Artists And Designers (Baad), Malaika Temba, Qualeasha Wood, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Black Artists and Designers (BAAD) Letter to the RISD Community January, 2017.

The Waiting Room, Black Artists And Designers (Baad), Risd Archives

Racial Justice

The Waiting Room event poster.

The Waiting Room, Black Artists And Designers (Baad), Risd Archives

Racial Justice

The Waiting Room facebook event description.

Text reads: Join us at our pop up spa for a full day of healing. In reaction to institutional neglect following last years "Not Your Token" Protest and Teach-In, and lack of response to RISD's SEA recommendations, we will open up for a day of self care on the 4th floor of Prov Wash as we massage the supremacy out of our institution. We'll have some treats for yall so wear and bring whatever you need (homework too!) to be your best, comfortable self.

This spa cannot treat afflictions of: racism, class differences, supremacy, …

No, You're Wrong., Graphic Design Department, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Student led campaign to discuss biases encountered during RISD critiques. "Let's Crit Crit" slogan.

It's Risd. Get Used To It., Graphic Design Department, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Student led campaign to discuss biases encountered during RISD critiques. "Let's Crit Crit" slogan.

Black Lives Matter, Graphic Design Department, Risd Archives

Racial Justice

Black Lives Matter print poster displayed on campus.

The Waiting Room, Black Artists And Designers (Baad), Risd Archives

Racial Justice

The Waiting Room event poster.

Text Reads: Welcome to THE BAADEST Waiting Room, founded on May 3, 2017 in response to the blatant disrespect, and lethargic responses to BAAD's list of demands and the hours of free labor that SEA committee members volunteered in order to create concrete recommendations for the school to implement. We occupy this space as a display of discontent, disobedience, and radical self care in an institution that demands constant physical production. We demand that President Rosanne Somerson and administration members end the RISD cycle of two-faced bullshitting and back-stabbing. If we do not receive a …