Let's Start a Conversation

Today I was reading a blog that I follow called RaceWire, and its post, "Start a Conversation to Say No to Racial Profiling" caught my attention. With the struggle that bodies within the WU community have had with sustaining attention and concern with the racial profiling issue, it intrigued me that the organization and its partner, Night of 1000 Conversations, could do so with such ease in multiple cities.

I wanted to share this because as Missouri does not have a "Conversation" currently registered,  I think it would be great if conversations about various issues could be sparked with the toolkits and service that these organizations provide. What will we converse about as WashU students? What social causes and issues peak our interest at this current time? This is something to think about, and if you desire to spark a convo with your peers and groups, try using Night of 1000 Conversations as a resource.

Here's the video that they posted on RaceWire.*



*Please note that conversations do not have to be about race...

Peace

Environmental Racism, an Event for Environmental Justice and Education

I was checking out this week's St. Louis Activist Hub, and found the following upcoming STL event about environmental racism really interesting.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=250575542912


As it's description states,

Environmental racism is the disproportionate exposure of environmental hazards on minorities. 

Environmental justice is the civil rights movement's response to environmental racism. 

The environmental justice movement doesn't seek to simply redistribute environmental toxins, but to abolish them entirely.

Exposure to these toxins directly effect the physical and mental development of children.

Environmental Racism- East St. Louis Levees? Are we facing a local Katrina? The New Northside? Transformative or Negligent?


The event is Thursday at 5:30. I may attend.

Call to Action Event

I received this email from my RA and friend who is the chairman for this event that will be hosted Friday, March 19^th at 6:30pm!

The Call to Action is a campus wide social justice based event that seeks to bring together Washington University students, faculty and community members to educate one another and spread the word about pressing issues of social justice.

There are two major components of this event and the first is a speaking competition in Graham Chapel for Washington University undergraduate students followed by a keynote speech from Bob Hansman! 

The students will be delivering speeches on various social justice topics of their choosing. The speeches will be judged by Risa Wrighton, Dr. Sharron Cannon and other notable faculty and community members. The winner of the competition will be granted the title “Orator of the Year” and will be granted in addition a $100 cash prize. I hope you will encourage your members to apply to compete in the speech competition or consider participating yourself! If you or any of your members are interested, I have attached the application to this e-mail, and they can send questions or applications to washucalltoaction@gmail.com and the sooner the better!

Here’s where Connect 4 comes in! 

A major component of the event will be a social justice fair that will take place in the Danforth University Center immediately after the speaking component of the event.  We are trying asking any groups interested in participating to choose any social justice issue, cause or charity that they find important and create a booth display to inform others about their issue, cause or charity and let them know how they too can get involved. This could mean creating a display board, handing out informative material, advertising upcoming events on campus relating to social justice etc. We encourage groups to be creative! If this sounds like something Connect 4 would be interested in, please respond to this e-mail and let us know and then we can tell you what the next steps are and how we can help you out!

You can also check out the event on Facebook!

(http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=287864635821&ref=mf)

I hope to see you there on March 19^th!

Thanks so much

An Opportunity to Collaborate with GlobeMed

Another cool opp that has come our way. We may discuss Thursday (pending results of tomorrow's legislation!) :D

My name is _____ and I am the current president of GlobeMed Wash U. A few years ago, the UN named February 20^th the “World Day of Social Justice”. In designating this day the World Day, the UN aimed to recognize the need to bring together the efforts of all members of the community in promoting access to social well-being and justice for all, no matter in what capacity. 

This year, GlobeMed Wash U is trying to bring World Day of Social Justice to the forefront of students’ minds here on campus. 

On Friday, February 19^th, we will host an on-going awareness event during the day and a slam/mixer event for all interested Social Action groups in the evening. The primary goal of these events will be to bring attention to World Social Justice Day on main campus. On Saturday, February 20^th, we will host a webinar, “Health and Social Justice” featuring Laura Turiano, a physician who currently serves on the global coordination group of People’s Health Movement (PHM) Right to Health and Health Care Campaign.

I wanted to invite Connect 4 to collaborate with us on this event. While GlobeMed primarily fights for global health equity, we recognize that health issues cannot be solved without solving many other social justice issues. This is a unique opportunity for various groups with different goals to band together and share our experiences with one another.

Please let me know if you would be interested in collaborating/participating. If you are interested, I will send more details and we can work together to make this an amazing event.

Thanks!

GlobeMed Wash U President

ROUNDTABLE| The State of DIVERSITY on Campus

Regarding Diversity Affairs at WashU

Important proposal for addressing student diversity affairs upcoming on campus. Please read and pass along to your peers and constituents. 

For years and semesters, members of our student community have have voiced a desire and need for an official and legitimate student-led entity that can provide:

• centralization of student-led communication, resources, and support for multicultural and diversity-related affairs,
• a rapid- action based source to aid in the address of bias-based incidents as they occur (think: ethnic profiling, Right Side of History, etc),
• a legitimized and collective voice for the student body when advocating greater desires of "diversity" to SU and the appropriate members of the University administration,
• more direct facilitation and accountability for collaboration and co-programming between cultural groups,
• increased provision and centralization of diversity training and workshops for student groups and individuals,
• and more.

Since returning this semester, many of us have worked with various members of the community to conceive a proposal to Student Union for the legislation of a Diversity Affairs Council (DAC) that will strive to address these and other interests. With a defined structure and much closer ties to SU, the DAC would represent the creation of an explicit diversity element within Student Union oriented towards helping a wide array of groups and individuals— including cultural, religious, LGBTQIA and social justice—reach common goals.


It would hope to provide policy recommendations to the Student Union Senate and support them into action as incidents occur on campus.  It would help coordinate diversity training on campus, connect new groups and initiatives (like WU/FUSED or Culture Shock) with campus leaders, and host a monthly Roundtable as meeting grounds for its constituents. The Chair of the DAC would be appointed by the SU President, and then would appoint a Cabinet to provide direction for the council, and it is with great hopes that with your support, members of the student body will have thorough representation within the DAC and unite towards enhancing and activating what the term "diversity" means on our campus. 


WE NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

SU Senate recently set the legislative consideration and voting for this initiative for February 10. As work on this legislation proposal is relatively new, communication of it to the wider student body has been limited. But we want you to join us in showing Student Union student support for the DAC

INPUT is needed.
On Monday and/or Tuesday of this upcoming week, we will be launching a "State of Diversity" campaign to garner a vast array of student perspectives on what is perceived to have become just a "buzz word" on campus.  We will be videotaping random and self-selected students in the DUC Commons sharing how they regard the current state of the term "diversity" on our campus. These will be shared all week in prep for the Senate legislation. 

DIALOGUE is needed.
With the new developments of the DAC concept, we will be hosting a Roundtable on Thursday February 4 at 7:30pm in DUC 234 about the "State of 'Diversity'" on campus whereby we will analyze and discuss the issues that have been prevalent over the past year and pitch why the DAC could serve as a foundational solution for such issues. We need honest and raw dialogue about this, so please bring diverse and strong opinions. 

SUPPORT is needed.
The DAC legislation is currently set for February 10 in SU Senate. Please support this effort by attending this meeting, bringing your peers, and voicing your opinions about the DAC legislation.

For any questions, concerns, or suggestions, or to get involved, please contact Connect 4 at connect4.wustl@gmail.com. 

C4 Execs

Leave your comments below:

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: WU'S ETHIC OF SERVICE AWARD

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: WU'S ETHIC OF SERVICE AWARD 

Do you know someone who inspires compassion and action in others? 
Someone who is selfless and dedicated to serving the community? 
Someone who exudes passion for a social, cultural, or economic issue in St. Louis? 

Or perhaps someone who aspires to all these things? 

Honor this person by submitting a nomination for 
WU's Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award. 

Any member of the WU community, past or current, 
who resides in and serves the St. Louis community is eligible to receive the award. 

Learn more and submit nominations at: 
www.ethicofservice.wustl.edu 
Deadline: February 5, 2010 at 5:00pm

Coprogramming with the Committee on Women and Art— Are We Interested?

Received this from CWA. Will bring it up at a meeting.

Dear Connect 4,

 

I am writing on behalf of The Committe on Women and Art, a student group on campus.  We are hosting our annual symposium next month (February) in which we bring female artists and performers to campus to celebrate their accomplishments.  I just got off the phone with local blues singer Kim Massie (http://www.myspace.com/kimmassie1), who has agreed to perform in Umrath Lounge on Wednesday, February 17th. (date may change depending on space availability).  Here is the issue:  she is asking for $600 to perform, but we only have $100 in our account to offer.  We wonder if Connect 4 would be interested in co-sponsoring her performance with us.  We will accept any money you'd be willing or able to contribute; we are approaching several other student groups/academic departments with this same request, in hopes of raising enough funds.  If you would like to contribute, your name will of course be attached to the event (unless you would prefer otherwise).  This is obviously a last-minute, semi-desperate request, and we would hope to get the ball rolling as soon as possible, if possible.  That being said, feel free to contact me by email or phone (260-316-6833) and let me know if you are interested, then we can meet to discuss details.

Thanks for your time!
  

Give David Equality

Join the Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Give-David-Equality/445362585528?v=wall

This morning, I was invited to join a Facebook page called "Give David Equality" that pertains to the injustice that leaders like David, leader in SigEg and campus leader of "The Right Side of History" face because he is gay. 


I read the following note on the Facebook page and immediately joined it and his site in support, offering Connect 4 as a group with whom he can possibly connect to help spread awareness on campus if he desires. In addition, I will be sharing the idea with Connect 4 of partnering with David to have a Straight Talk for Equality on campus and lending our faces and voices as straight talkers on the site. 


Please join the Facebook Page for this at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Give-David-Equality/445362585528?v=wall and support David and million of others in the LGBT community by learning more about The Right Side of History.

David is a good friend of mine, a normal guy who likes to hang out. He's in SigEp a fraternity at WashU and knows how to have a good time. However because David is gay he is not treated like me under the law.  

You may not know this, but David is not a full citizen of this country--nor are the millions of other gay Americans like him. David can be legally fired in 29 states for being gay, legally evicted from his house in over 30 states, barred access to the military and its government benefits, and restricted from getting access to the 1,100+ federal privileges that our government gives married couples. It's hard to believe that in our country, we all don't have the same legal rights and protections. 

David wants to have a family someday unless we change these laws, David's family won't have the same rights as the family that raised me, or as many other American families. How is this possible? How much longer will David have to wait? 

We can and must change these laws. This year, please help give David -- and millions of LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bi Trans) American--equal rights. Please show your support for David's 100% equality by joining this page and by inviting your friends. I'll keep you posted on how you can help David and other LGBT Americans gain full equality in the upcoming year. 

Thanks for your support

"Unity Fest", A Concept

 I found this idea online, and I think it would be something really cool to host either as it is described below or as an expanded concept for all ethnic communities on campus. It could even be something that students collaborate to create in order to serve a higher meaning with the term UnityFest.


I can't remember which university this is from, but it's cool.... and if you think "Connect 4" is a stranger group name, check out "SODA." 

Within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community are many ethnicities and experiences. This event will acknowledge and celebrate this diversity. There will be performances, discussion, and food from several distinct communities.This event is also part of a UnityFest and is sponsored by Raising Our Asian Rights (ROAR) and Students Organizing Diversity Activities (SODA).

Multicultural Retreat, A Concept

For a while, some members of Connect 4 have considered the idea of programming a multicultural retreat that would be open to all students and serve as an opportunity for us to explore our various identities, learn about leadership in diversity, and find ways to open more opportunities to learn and advocate for issues when we're on campus.

Well, I started looking around/researching what other universities are doing in this effort and came across the following retreat that is hosted by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Read the description. Sounds pretty similar to some of the goals that I have heard from WashU peeps.

Cultural Leadership Retreat: February 5th to the 7th

The Cultural Leadership Retreat is a three-day, two-night weekend with interactive workshops designed to create an environment for individuals to explore cultural identity, share experiences, and discuss the meaning of leadership within the context of a diverse society. The workshops create a safe climate for sharing activities. Participants need to come prepared to actively participate in activities by sharing views, attitudes, beliefs and experiences openly and honestly. The Cultural Leadership Retreat is an unique opportunity to learn more about yourself, connect with other students, and to make a positive impact at UNLV.

For students interested in applying as a participant for the retreat, please click here to apply. Application deadline is January 14, 2010!

For staff or faculty interested in applying as a facilitator for the retreat, please Click Here to apply.

Afriky Lolo Brings the Rumble in the DUC

Today I was sitting in the downstairs SU offices with Senators, when suddenly an onslaught of drumming caught my attention. Though in midst of conversation, I removed myself to find the sound and came across the following amazing performances by Afriky Lolo, "a nationally acclaimed West African Dance Company" based out of St. Louis. The African Students Association hosted their performance today in preparation for their show "Sundiata" in Edison theater. Please watch the videos below, post more if you got to see them, and support them and ASA February 26!








Below is the flyer for the show. Please show your support by attending this event! I will be connecting with Connect 4 and Culture Shock members to by group tickets to see it. Join us!

Learn more about Afriky Lolo by visiting http://afrikylolo.com

Opportunity with NSBE to Discuss the Lack of Diversity in Faculty

Alice Ndikumana sent the following request to student group leaders in efforts to coprogram an event to discuss the lack of diversity amongst the faculty at WashU. De will be meeting with her next week to learn more about this endeavor.

My name is Alice Ndikumana. I am a junoir biomedical engineering student, and the programs chair for the National Society of Black Engineers. Every year we host a NSBE Week in the Spring Semester. This year the theme of our week is inspiring and educating Black engineers. Along that theme, one of our main events is an event discussing the lack of a diversity amongst the faculty at our university. The goal of our event is, firstly, to answer the following questions: 1. How racial/ethnic representation among Washington University in St. Louis compare to similar intstitutions? 2. What is our university doing to increase these numbers? 3. What are the main obstacles we face? Secondly, we hope to educate our student body about what it takes to become an professor and what the career entails. 

I am hoping that your membership may be interested in attending our event and that you may interesting in co-programming this event with us. If you are interested please respond to this email we can set up a time for us to meet and bounce around ideas.

From Camille, "The Psychology of Stereotypes, Identity, and Perception" at Missouri History Museum Thursday

Connect 4's Co-VP Camille Young sent the following message regarding an event that many Connect 4 members will be attending Thursday before our Pre-Activities Fair meeting. Please let her know if you will be attending by emailing connect4.wustl@gmail.com. 

As you all know, this Thursday, we will be having of first meeting of the year at 9pm in Seigle Hall. Before hand I was hoping that we could, as a group, attend an amazing lecture at the Missouri History Museum, entitled "In the Mind's Eye: The Psychology of Stereotypes, Identity and Perception," at 7pm. The lecture is being led by our very own Alan J. Lambert, associate professor of Psychology at Washington University. I've attached the events link:http://www.mohistory.org/node/3755

As our campus' premier diversity awareness group, I believe it is important that we educate ourselves on the complexities of discrimination and stereotyping, and this is a great opportunity for us to do so! (as well as group bonding ^_^)

This semester, our group is seeing a lot of changes; from choosing a new name, starting new initiatives, and to potentially becoming apart of SU. As we undergo these changes, it is important that we remain on our "A" game. In order to do so, De, Lexi, and myself are looking to promote and acknowledge the diversity within our own group as well as comradery.

So, if you would like to go and can make it this Thursday, to the History Museum at 7pm before our first meeting, please contact me no later that 12pm on Thursday. The museum is on the Metro Link line at Forest Park and we can ride it together.

Thanks guys, and hope to see and hear from you all soon!

What WashU Students are Doing for Haiti

The video below is NOT produced by WU students, but I thought I'd share this video as an opener to this post. Listen while you read. These are talented youth. Since arriving back at WU, I have received many emails and Facebook message/invites regarding initiatives that WU students are starting to have for supporting Haiti, so I thought I'd pass the word. Community Service Office. This previous post shares CSO suggestions and insight on how we can immediately get involved with the efforts to help Haiti. Please read it and participate. Student Union's Goals. SU President, Jeff Nelson, recently sent a challenge to all students to help SU raise and donate at least $20,000 to the Partners in Health (PIH) for relief efforts by Monday, January 25th. [They] ask that each student go to http://su.wustl.edu/help-haiti and donate $5 to this effort. Student Union will donate $500 from its fundraising account and an additional $1 for every $40 donated up to our $20,000 goal. Do it!!! Black Senior Alliance "Jump Off Party." This student group will be helping Haiti by hosting a back-to-school party THIS WEEKEND that will collect can goods and money in collaboration with Partners in Health. Visit http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=416277600393&ref=ts for more info. Touch the Sphere. Freshman and Catalyst member, Andrew Taliaferro recently launched his initiative, Touch the Sphere, which aims to keep WashU students alert and contributing to the cause via the Touch the Sphere: Students United for Change in Haiti Facebook cause that he created. Please join it and contribute- all proceeds go to the American Red Cross. These are each awesome endeavors in their own ways. Please support with as much generosity as possible. Share other things that WU peeps are doing as well! Peace

Culture Shock Initiative

Many Connect 4 members and student leaders attended the Office of Student Activities' Redefining Community Experience Retreat this past weekend, and boy, did we have a blast!

One of the awesome initiatives that emerged from RCE was Culture Shock, an initiative started by Hana Schuster that aims to

expose students to various cultures by attending one culture group event each week, and will create an open, welcoming, and more diverse campus environment. It will offer students opportunities to experience cultures they wouldn't normally be exposed to, and will create student ties and relationships between various groups, in hopes of promoting a more open and understanding student body.

Because this group's purpose relates so closely to Connect 4's mission to connect people and generate awareness of identity and culture, Culture Shock leaders will be attending the first Connect 4 meeting to share this idea. As well, it will be great to unite with them to attend the upcoming LNYF and Black Anthology shows. Post thoughts, opinions, and ideas.

To learn more about Culture Shock, visit its Facebook Group or email wucultureshock@gmail.com

IMPACT: National Student Conference on Service, Advocacy & Social Action

I received the information below from the Community Service Office Regarding the IMPACT Student Conference that will be occurring March 19-22 in Little Rock, and I think it would be awesome we could get a group of Connect 4 members and other WU students to go. I will be talking to Naomi on Tuesday about this opportunity and seeing which avenues are available for subsidizing the costs for a group to possibly go. 

IMPACT: National Student Conference on Service, Advocacy & Social Action 
Early Registration Deadline - January 22 
The IMPACT Conference is a place where college students, administrators, faculty, national nonprofit organizations, socially-responsible companies and many other campus community members involved in service, activism, politics, advocacy, and other socially responsible work across philosophical and ideological lines can gather together. This spring the conference will be held at the Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock, Arkansas, March 19-22, 2010.
 
You won't want to miss this inspiring three-day conference, which will give students the opportunity to: 
* Present a workshop at a national conference 
* Attend thought provoking student-lead workshops and plenary sessions 
* Attend a Hunger Banquet 
* Network with representatives of non-profit agencies and companies at the Opportunities Fair 
* Listen to nationally recognized keynote speakers and more! 
 
Early Registration for the IMPACT Conference closes on January 22, 2010!
 
To learn more about the IMPACT Conference and to register, please visit www.impactconference.org.  Workshop proposals are also still being accepted.