Freedom to Dream—For Hope, Empowerment, Social Change

The Seattle College group gathered April 13 for the second Racial Fairness Summit, a half-day symposium centered on the theme of “Freedom Dreaming” that drew almost a thousand individuals to deepen their understanding and construct collaborative capability to pursue antiracist schooling.

Organized by the Workplace of Range and Inclusion, the Racial Fairness Summit—a LIFT SU initiative—was completely different from the primary in 2021 in that it gathered the SU group in-person versus an all-virtual occasion on the peak of the pandemic. This yr’s occasion featured keynote speaker, acclaimed creator and scholar Dr. Imani Perry.

Stevie Rodler, ‘24, a communications and theater double main, mentioned it was inspiring to see the dimensions of the group that turned out to take the journey collectively.

“It’s nice to see all the scholars,” Rodler mentioned, whereas watching the group combine collectively between periods. “That is us, that is who we’re.”

Woven by way of the speeches by Dr. Perry—who appeared nearly—and SU President Eduardo Peñalver had been efforts by states to limit academic instruction on racism and its historical past in america and the way illuminating the previous brings with it discomfort however can widen empathy.

President Peñalver, calling out Florida’s “Cease WOKE Act” of 2022, championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, mentioned that suppressing concepts, whether or not in favor or towards, runs counter to the mission of SU.

“We have to embrace discomfort,” Peñalver mentioned. “In the identical means that discomfort is an important and common a part of bodily train, mental discomfort is a common side of schooling, achieved appropriately. If we’re by no means uncomfortable, we’re not rising. And the worth of discomfort is not only for the dangerous individuals, for the benighted individuals on the opposite facet of no matter challenge it’s we’re discussing. Discomfort is the fixed companion of these dedicated to studying.”

Third yr regulation faculty scholar Maya Bradshaw, ‘23, had learn Dr. Perry’s e book, the 2022 Nationwide Guide Award for Nonfiction South to America: A Journey Under the Mason-Dixon to Perceive the Soul of a Nation and arrived early to stake out a seat as Pigott Auditorium rapidly crammed up. Bradshaw got here with a collection of questions raised by Dr. Perry’s e book.

“Like what’s going to racial equality seem like in our nation now?” Bradshaw requested. “I don’t know if I’ll get a solution, but it surely’s a place to begin.”

Along with speeches, attendees broke off for 2, 50-minute periods of Freedom Faculty, the place contributors might select from almost 20 completely different shows. Topics ranged from synthetic intelligence and racial fairness to the advantages of direct motion and portrayals of racial intersectionality within the media.

Assistant Professor of Advertising Natalie Welch, PhD, an enrolled member of the Jap Band of Cherokee Indians, led a presentation on Native American boarding colleges. Dr. Welch touched on the private expertise of her household and the way boarding colleges stripped indigenous youth of their cultures, generally forcibly eradicating them from their households.

Anticipating the discomfort the presentation would stoke, and including a contact of levity, Dr. Welch prefaced her presentation with romantic photographs of boarding colleges like that from the TV present Gossip Lady.

“This isn’t that,” Dr. Welch mentioned.

Katie Sharp, ‘24, an environmental research main, mentioned the summit left attendees with a clearer thought of what’s forward.

“There may be lots of work to be achieved, but it surely’s an excellent leaping off level,” Sharp mentioned.

Natasha Martin, JD, vice chairman for variety and inclusion and affiliate professor of regulation, emphasised that the summit’s theme of “Freedom Dreaming” just isn’t a fantasy or a daydream, moderately it’s a conscious, steady act of empowerment and hope.

“Let’s maintain the dream alive,” Martin informed the viewers.