The university has finally committed to the policy changes we demanded for our students. It has been a long and draining road to get here but I am relieved that we can finally see some real protection on this campus. Stay alert as we move into the implementation phase.
February 4, 2017
Final supporters
November 25, 2016
An Open Letter to the Students of Bowling Green State University,
We, as women of color faculty and staff, are collectively writing to tell you that we are angered by the environment of dehumanizing speech and racist actions on and around this campus. Even as this letter is written in the wake of the 2016 election; this is not a response to that election. This is a call to action. This is a message of solidarity.
We know that you made an incredibly hard decision to come to Bowling Green State University. We know that this was a hopeful decision--one that would put you on a path to achieve your wildest dreams. You left your families, your friends, your neighborhood, and your community. We had to make those decisions as well. We, too, miss our people. We understand the relief of finding friends and making family at the university.
We are so excited that you are here in our classrooms, at the Student Union, walking with your friends, joining organizations, playing for athletic teams, winning academic awards--experiencing all of what Bowling Green State University has to offer. It doesn’t escape us when you make yourself smaller. Your hoods are up. Your music is louder. You don’t make eye contact. Your language is overly formal. We, too, have had to make those adjustments.
Our hearts break for you.
You feel unsafe in this, your home.
We, too, feel unsafe.
You feel invisible and yet hypervisible.
You are not alone.
We see you. We hear you.
We will work alongside you to make transformative change.
We affirm your presence. It is your right to pursue an education without fear or intimidation. You have the right to express your dissent, your desires, your needs, and your fears.
Your voice is valuable. Your presence is instrumental. Your experiences are more than one chapter in one book taught at the end of the semester. You are the catalyst of change. You make BG.
We raise our voices along with yours. We love you.
In solidarity,
Nicole Jackson, Rebecca J. Kinney, Andrea Riley-Mukavetz, Sarah Tekle, Michaela Walsh
Please address correspondence to: [email protected]
Updates
November 28, 2016
Reaching this level of visibility feels heavy because it confirms how many of us are living in the same exhaustion. I am drained by the fight but seeing so many people acknowledge this shared pain reminds me why we cannot look away.
Reached 100 supporters
November 28, 2016
36 Comments
Instructor, Ethnic Studies and Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, School of Cultural and Critical Studies, BGSU "Some problems we share as women, some we do not. You fear your children will grow up to join the patriarchy and testify against you, we fear our children will be dragged from a car and shot down in the street, and you will turn your backs upon the reasons they are dying." Audre Lorde, "Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference," Sister Outsider.
I am signing and passing this around to my constituents as an act of resistance to the fear we feel and many others may be feeling , and to push for a reform to really implement diversity and inclusion at all levels and make this campus where all those underprivileged,underrepresented, all minorities and intersectional identities feel safe.
As a student leader at BGSU, I think you ladies so much for writing this letter and meeting us know that you all are here to support us. I Leave You Love
I am a former BGSU faculty member and a white ally in the fight against racism. I see students' fears and insist on your equitable access to education.
I pray for all of our students, staff, faculty, and all who work within BGSU in any capacity. Fear is corrosive, lack of trust, confusion, increased sadness, and changing rules and guidelines locally, nationally, and internationally create a climate that is not productive; Our campus climate can only improve when all of us in our diverse roles and lives seek to act with kindness, honesty, and humanity. Regardless of our place of origin, sexual orientation, ethnicity, color of our skin, age, religious beliefs, abilities physically or mentally, we are PEOPLE and deserve respect toward one another.
In solidarity with all of you!
very true, as diversity is the declaration of what is the norm of a multicultural and multiracial society really. but the easy way nowadays is to say diversity. it's a cop out. :( :( :(
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The university has finally committed to the policy changes we demanded for our students. It has been a long and draining road to get here but I am relieved that we can finally see some real protection on this campus. Stay alert as we move into the implementation phase.
February 4, 2017
Final supporters
November 25, 2016
An Open Letter to the Students of Bowling Green State University,
We, as women of color faculty and staff, are collectively writing to tell you that we are angered by the environment of dehumanizing speech and racist actions on and around this campus. Even as this letter is written in the wake of the 2016 election; this is not a response to that election. This is a call to action. This is a message of solidarity.
We know that you made an incredibly hard decision to come to Bowling Green State University. We know that this was a hopeful decision--one that would put you on a path to achieve your wildest dreams. You left your families, your friends, your neighborhood, and your community. We had to make those decisions as well. We, too, miss our people. We understand the relief of finding friends and making family at the university.
We are so excited that you are here in our classrooms, at the Student Union, walking with your friends, joining organizations, playing for athletic teams, winning academic awards--experiencing all of what Bowling Green State University has to offer. It doesn’t escape us when you make yourself smaller. Your hoods are up. Your music is louder. You don’t make eye contact. Your language is overly formal. We, too, have had to make those adjustments.
Our hearts break for you.
You feel unsafe in this, your home.
We, too, feel unsafe.
You feel invisible and yet hypervisible.
You are not alone.
We see you. We hear you.
We will work alongside you to make transformative change.
We affirm your presence. It is your right to pursue an education without fear or intimidation. You have the right to express your dissent, your desires, your needs, and your fears.
Your voice is valuable. Your presence is instrumental. Your experiences are more than one chapter in one book taught at the end of the semester. You are the catalyst of change. You make BG.
We raise our voices along with yours. We love you.
In solidarity,
Nicole Jackson, Rebecca J. Kinney, Andrea Riley-Mukavetz, Sarah Tekle, Michaela Walsh
Please address correspondence to: [email protected]
Updates
November 28, 2016
Reaching this level of visibility feels heavy because it confirms how many of us are living in the same exhaustion. I am drained by the fight but seeing so many people acknowledge this shared pain reminds me why we cannot look away.
Reached 100 supporters
November 28, 2016
36 Comments
There is a difference between diversity and unity. The assumption is that if a campus is diverse, it will inherently become more unified and inclusive. We must work for unity. It is not a given and we must respect each other to make it happen. Let's make sure this university is a place where we can all feel safe and welcomed.
Instructor, Ethnic Studies and Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, School of Cultural and Critical Studies, BGSU "Some problems we share as women, some we do not. You fear your children will grow up to join the patriarchy and testify against you, we fear our children will be dragged from a car and shot down in the street, and you will turn your backs upon the reasons they are dying." Audre Lorde, "Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference," Sister Outsider.
I am signing and passing this around to my constituents as an act of resistance to the fear we feel and many others may be feeling , and to push for a reform to really implement diversity and inclusion at all levels and make this campus where all those underprivileged,underrepresented, all minorities and intersectional identities feel safe.
As a student leader at BGSU, I think you ladies so much for writing this letter and meeting us know that you all are here to support us. I Leave You Love
I am a former BGSU faculty member and a white ally in the fight against racism. I see students' fears and insist on your equitable access to education.
I pray for all of our students, staff, faculty, and all who work within BGSU in any capacity. Fear is corrosive, lack of trust, confusion, increased sadness, and changing rules and guidelines locally, nationally, and internationally create a climate that is not productive; Our campus climate can only improve when all of us in our diverse roles and lives seek to act with kindness, honesty, and humanity. Regardless of our place of origin, sexual orientation, ethnicity, color of our skin, age, religious beliefs, abilities physically or mentally, we are PEOPLE and deserve respect toward one another.
In solidarity with all of you!
very true, as diversity is the declaration of what is the norm of a multicultural and multiracial society really. but the easy way nowadays is to say diversity. it's a cop out. :( :( :(
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There is a difference between diversity and unity. The assumption is that if a campus is diverse, it will inherently become more unified and inclusive. We must work for unity. It is not a given and we must respect each other to make it happen. Let's make sure this university is a place where we can all feel safe and welcomed.