As grassroots movement for social equity and justice builds on campus, RWU expands programming for Social Justice Month

Rodrigues, Jill

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Creating a More Inclusive Community through Social Justice Activism

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Roger Williams UniversityDOCS@RWUFeatured News Story The Week at Roger10-4-2017Creating a More Inclusive Community throughSocial Justice ActivismJill RodriguesRoger Williams UniversityFollow this and additional works at: https://docs.rwu.edu/weekatroger_featured_newsPart of the Higher Education CommonsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the The Week at Roger at DOCS@RWU. It has been accepted for inclusion in FeaturedNews Story by an authorized administrator of DOCS@RWU. For more information, please contact mwu@rwu.edu.Recommended CitationRodrigues, Jill, "Creating a More Inclusive Community through Social Justice Activism" (2017). Featured News Story. 251.https://docs.rwu.edu/weekatroger_featured_news/25110/31/2018  Creating a More Inclusive Community through Social Justice Activism | Roger Williams Universityhttps://www.rwu.edu/news/news-archive/creating-more-inclusive-community-through-social-justice-activism 1/6 News Archive Creating a More Inclusive Community throughSocial Justice ActivismAs grassroots movement for social equity and justice builds on campus, RWUexpands programming for Social Justice MonthLast fall, Barbershop, a student club for men of color on campus,started Unity Way, an e ort that brought together student groups topromote positive relationships throughout the campus communitythrough messages of inclusivity, equity and hope in the center of theBristol campus.October 4, 2017 Jill Rodrigues '05BRISTOL, R.I. – Passionate and dedicated e orts toward social equity and justice have gainedsigni cant momentum across campus over the past few years, mirroring what the nation has seenplay out in the media spotlight.Students have staged highly visible actions like the “die-in” with solidarity for the Black Lives Mattermovement at the start of the Fall 2015 semester. And there are out-of-sight good deeds such as theongoing work of Food Recovery Network volunteers who spend their nights packaging uneatenle overs from the Dining Commons and delivering it to local women’s shelters. Whether it's takingaction or adding their voices to support a cause, Roger Williams University students, faculty and sta have responded to the di cult issues arising in the national dialogue with a desire for raising thecollective conscience and working toward solutions.10/31/2018  Creating a More Inclusive Community through Social Justice Activism | Roger Williams Universityhttps://www.rwu.edu/news/news-archive/creating-more-inclusive-community-through-social-justice-activism 2/6“Students have been very active and demanding in recognition of social justice issues on campus,from the creation of all-gender bathrooms to the student body’s demand for a course on diversity,”said Autumn Quezada-Grant, associate professor of history at RWU. “In many ways, this socialjustice initiative has not been top-down, but coming from the bottom up. This has been a truegrassroots movement through collaboration between students, faculty, sta  and administration. Wehear them and we are trying to bring their voice forward.”In response to this, Quezada-Grant and Professor Laura D’Amore launched an initiative in 2012 –Social Justice Week – that brings together student groups and faculty experts for an annual week inOctober aimed at sparking dialogue and inspiring the campus community around a variety of socialjustice issues. They held a Social Justice Summit in 2014 during which students, faculty and sta unpacked the term “social justice” and helped stimulate a culture of social activism. And for twoyears, they led a Social Justice and Diversity Faculty Learning Community, a multidisciplinaryprofessional development that educated faculty members on how to address issues of social justiceand diversity and incorporate these topics into their courses.With momentum continuing to build on campus, Quezada-Grant and D’Amore were inundatedwith requests from professors and students wanting to participate in this year’s annualprogramming. Now called Social Justice Month, it’s expanding in its sixth year to an entire month oflectures, interactive workshops,  lm screenings and other activities that explore questions ofidentity, racism, elder justice, environmental issues and more. It’s part of the university’s yearlongseries, “Talking About Race, Gender and Power,” which aims to engage the community in informeddialogue on the intersection of race, gender and power and to work toward practical solutions.“In the national spotlight are questions about race, racial justice and patriotism, about transgenderrights, about climate change and clean energy – these are questions about marginalization,disenfranchisement, and inequality,” said Quezada-Grant. “We have all these  ash points in thenational dialogue that polarize us. This makes it even more critical to have these conversations, tounderstand what the problems are and to think of solutions.”With many more opportunities to understand the issues, learn how to become an advocate and toconnect with allies across campus, Social Justice Month kicks o  this week with the Social JusticeInvolvement Fair where more than 26 student clubs, organizations, academic courses, andworkshop leaders will highlight the work they do and how to get involved. Check out the fullschedule of events below and join the campus conversation with the hashtag, #ThinkLearnDo.Social Justice Involvement Fair Wednesday, Oct. 4 • 2:00-4:00 pm GHH Atrium Find out which clubs, orgs, classes and professors engage in social justice work on our campus!Join the movement!  Social Justice Month: "Upstandership" Workshop Wednesday, Oct. 4 • 4:00-6:00 pm 10/31/2018  Creating a More Inclusive Community through Social Justice Activism | Roger Williams Universityhttps://www.rwu.edu/news/news-archive/creating-more-inclusive-community-through-social-justice-activism 3/6University Library – Mary Te t White Cultural Center Workshop training on how to not be a bystander, but rather how to stand up and be an advocatefor others – with Philip Marshall.  Fireside Chat with President Farish Wednesday, Oct. 4 • 7:00-8:30 pm University Library – Mary Te t White Cultural Center Hosted by the PEACE Program at RWU and the O ce of President Farish and co-sponsored byChief Diversity O cer Ame Lambert, the Multicultural Student Union, and S.A.F.E.  Social Justice Month: "Re-enchanctment: Animal Rights, Deep Ecology and Signi cance ofWonder" Thursday, Oct. 5 • 3:00-4:00 pm University Library – Mary Te t White Cultural Center  Social Justice Month: "Equalogy" Interactive Theater Thursday, Oct. 5 • 4:00-6:00 pm CAS 157 In “Equalogy” Interactive Theater, the Women’s Collective for Equality and Empowermentpresents a program that features two 1-hour shows that address issues related to sexual assaultand relationship violence.  Social Justice Month: SAFE to Be YOU Photo Booth Tuesday, Oct. 10 • 12:00-2:00 pm GHH Atrium  Social Justice Month: "Rhode Island, Indian A airs and the Complexity of Identity" Wednesday, Oct. 11 • 5:00-6:30 pm University Library – Mary Te t White Cultural Center The Multicultural Student Union presents a conversation with Raymond “Two Hawks”Watson, a recipient of the RI Foundation Grant to support and expand Indigenous CulturalHeritage and Tourism in Rhode Island.  Social Justice Month: LGBTQ Community and Pumpkin Painting Wednesday, Oct. 11 • 6:00-8:00 pm Gender and Sexuality Center S.A.F.E. and the campus community present "Gourds & Gays: LGBTQ Community and PumpkinPainting."  President’s Distinguished Speakers Series: Feminist and Activist Micheline Sheehy Ske ngton Wednesday, Oct. 11 • 7:00 pm 10/31/2018  Creating a More Inclusive Community through Social Justice Activism | Roger Williams Universityhttps://www.rwu.edu/news/news-archive/creating-more-inclusive-community-through-social-justice-activism 4/6University Library – Mary Te t White Cultural Center As she retraces her grandmother’s U.S. speaking tour for a documentary  lm, “Hanna and Me:Passing on the Flame,” Irish feminist and activist Micheline Sheehy Ske ngton will discuss the ght for women’s right to vote and for Irish independence from 1917 to 2017.  Social Justice Month: Looming Installation of Wish Flags Thursday, Oct. 12 • 2:00-5:00 pm Visual Arts Center An activity with Professor Elizabeth Du y and the Mixed Media class. Wish Flags communicateideas they want to bring greater awareness to: social, political and personal, to registerexpressions of protest and hope. This will be held outdoors in front of the Visual Arts Center.Materials available for all who wish to participate.  Social Justice Month: Film Screening of "Equal Means Equal" Thursday, Oct. 12 • 5:00-8:00 pm CAS 157  Social Justice Month: "Why Feminism Matters More Now Than Ever" Friday, Oct. 13 • 2:00-4:00 pm GHH 206 A discussion with Professor Meg Case.  Social Justice Month: "Hidden Figures: Diversity and STEM" Monday, Oct. 16 • 4:00-6:00 pm University Library – Mary Te t White Cultural Center A  lm screening and discussion with Professor Robert Jacobson and Professor Jennifer Pearce.  Connect with Chief Diversity O cer Ame Lambert Tuesday, Oct. 17 • 12:00-1:00 pm University Library – Mary Te t White Cultural Center  Social Justice Month: “Race, Memorialization and Memory” Tuesday, Oct. 17 • 6:00-8:00 pm School of Architecture, Art and Historical Preservation – Room 132 A panel discussion that features Calvin White Jr., an expert on the African-American experienceand black identity in the U.S. South, joining RWU professors Julian Bonder, Autumn Quezada-Grant, and Aaron Allen.  Social Justice Month: Performance Art Installation — "STAND" Wednesday, Oct. 18 • 10:00-11:00 am 10/31/2018  Creating a More Inclusive Community through Social Justice Activism | Roger Williams Universityhttps://www.rwu.edu/news/news-archive/creating-more-inclusive-community-through-social-justice-activism 5/6Library Quad  Social Justice Month: "Break the Silence" Vigil Wednesday, Oct. 18 • 5:30-7:00 pm Library Quad  Social Justice Month: "Changemaking in Global Context: RWU-Ashoka U Opportunities" Wednesday, Oct. 18 • 6:00-8:30 pm GHH Atrium Ashoka U Commons Manager, Ali Fraenkel and Kate Greene from the Spiegel Center for Globaland International Programs will co-facilitate a workshop focusing on civic and socialchangemaking capacity building. Participants will learn about the work of Ashoka’s globalnetwork of social entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers, and how Ashoka U helpscampus communities catalyze e orts to make the world a better place. Together we will exploreopportunities to foster RWU changemaker e orts in global context.  Social Justice Month: How Housing Happens Thursday, Oct. 19 • 4:00-6:00 pm University Library – Mary Te t White Cultural Center A workshop with Brenda Clement, Director of HousingWorks Rhode Island at RWU, and AmeLambert, RWU Chief Diversity O cer. They will present an overview of housing issues in RhodeIsland and connections to the larger social justice agenda.  Social Justice Month: "180 Degrees South" Wednesday, Oct. 25 • 6:00-8:00 pm CAS 157 A  lm screening and discussion with RWU SEG Fellow Will Dittman, Professor W. Brett Mckenzie,and Assistant Dean Barbara Grota.  President’s Distinguished Speakers Series: Architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien Wednesday, Oct. 25 • 7:00 pm Campus Recreation Center Gymnasium Internationally award-winning architect team and designers of the Obama Presidential Center, aliving, working space to be built on the Southside of Chicago that is intended to be a hub forcommunity and civic engagement.ACADEMICS LIFE @ RWU PERFORMING ARTS MARIO J. GABELLI SCHOOL OF BUSINESSFEINSTEIN SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES, ART AND EDUCATIONFEINSTEIN SCHOOL OF SOCIAL AND NATURAL SCIENCESSCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, ART, & HISTORIC PRESERVATIONSCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, COMPUTING, & CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SCHOOL OF JUSTICE STUDIES10/31/2018  Creating a More Inclusive Community through Social Justice Activism | Roger Williams Universityhttps://www.rwu.edu/news/news-archive/creating-more-inclusive-community-through-social-justice-activism 6/6

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Creating a More Inclusive Community through Social Justice Activism

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