Upcoming Events
Building Community
Whose Diversity? will celebrate our successes and continue to organize, plan, and build community during the summer months. We will be starting the Fall 2014 semester strong - stay tuned for updates as the first week of classes draws near. In the meantime, email [email protected] if you'd like to get involved and like Whose Diversity? on facebook for more news and information.
Whose Diversity? will celebrate our successes and continue to organize, plan, and build community during the summer months. We will be starting the Fall 2014 semester strong - stay tuned for updates as the first week of classes draws near. In the meantime, email [email protected] if you'd like to get involved and like Whose Diversity? on facebook for more news and information.
Previous Events
Sharing Our Truths and Honoring the Legacy of Activism at the U
Thursday, May 15th, 2014
On May 15, 2014, students, staff, faculty, alum, and community organizers gathered on the steps of the historic Morrill Hall building to honor the history of activism at the University of Minnesota; speakers talked about the history this campus has witnessed, and they discussed the way our administration renders invisible these histories through mainstream accounts. These speakers shared words about a strengthened commitment to continue the organizing work over the summer in order to start the Fall 2014 semester strong.
The Whose Diversity? Collective invited President Eric Kaler to participate in this community conversation as a way to address the list of diversity demands submitted on April 30, 2014; Katrice Albert, VP for Equity and Diversity, responded on behalf of President Kaler and other senior leaders stating that the time proposed would not work, "given this is finals week." We are disappointed that students, staff, and faculty were able to make time to meet during finals week, but not one of the University's senior leaders, including President Kaler, were able to respond in kind... Keep reading HERE.
Thursday, May 15th, 2014
On May 15, 2014, students, staff, faculty, alum, and community organizers gathered on the steps of the historic Morrill Hall building to honor the history of activism at the University of Minnesota; speakers talked about the history this campus has witnessed, and they discussed the way our administration renders invisible these histories through mainstream accounts. These speakers shared words about a strengthened commitment to continue the organizing work over the summer in order to start the Fall 2014 semester strong.
The Whose Diversity? Collective invited President Eric Kaler to participate in this community conversation as a way to address the list of diversity demands submitted on April 30, 2014; Katrice Albert, VP for Equity and Diversity, responded on behalf of President Kaler and other senior leaders stating that the time proposed would not work, "given this is finals week." We are disappointed that students, staff, and faculty were able to make time to meet during finals week, but not one of the University's senior leaders, including President Kaler, were able to respond in kind... Keep reading HERE.
University Responds to Whose Diversity? Demands
Thursday, May 8th, 2014
In presenting our demands to the University of Minnesota's administration (President Eric Kaler, Dr. Katrice Albert, and Dr. Shakeer Abdullah) on April 30th, 2014, WD? stated that we expected a written statement from the U of M regarding our list of demands by Thursday, May 8th. At 7:09 pm on this date, President Kaler contacted our collective via email with an answer. You may read his response HERE.
The President outline initiatives already underway to improve campus diversity, but the testimonies we have collected reveal the need for a more nuanced engagement with our lived realities. Check out our response to President Kaler HERE.
Whose Diversity? Presents Diversity Demands to University of Minnesota Administration
Wednesday, April 30th, 2014
Whose Diversity? presented an extensive list of demands to the administration of the University of Minnesota at the steps of the historic Morrill Hall building. We spent months writing and revising these demands, dedicating great care to the content and phrasing of the needs to witness structural change. These demands are not superficial -- for all of us, they carry great impact as they reflect our lived realities. This is why we have consulted several professors, friends, students, and colleagues to receive feedback. Our organizing efforts are rooted in a sincere love for and commitment to our communities. We want to ensure that people in our campus feel safe, welcome, and supported. This has not been the case for everyone, particularly for people of color, and/or GLBTQ people, and/or differently-abled people, and/or working-class people, and/or people of multiple spiritual beliefs, among others who come from historically marginalized communities.
Wednesday, April 30th, 2014
Whose Diversity? presented an extensive list of demands to the administration of the University of Minnesota at the steps of the historic Morrill Hall building. We spent months writing and revising these demands, dedicating great care to the content and phrasing of the needs to witness structural change. These demands are not superficial -- for all of us, they carry great impact as they reflect our lived realities. This is why we have consulted several professors, friends, students, and colleagues to receive feedback. Our organizing efforts are rooted in a sincere love for and commitment to our communities. We want to ensure that people in our campus feel safe, welcome, and supported. This has not been the case for everyone, particularly for people of color, and/or GLBTQ people, and/or differently-abled people, and/or working-class people, and/or people of multiple spiritual beliefs, among others who come from historically marginalized communities.
Our Voices, Our Narratives, Our Truths: Discrimination at UMN
Wednesday, April 9th, 2014
The University of Minnesota community shared our truths about our lived realities of as people of "diverse" communities at this institution. We healed together, cultivated community, and challenged the mainstream narratives of diversity the U portrays.
Folks shared their experiences through multiple mediums: writing, photos, videos, and social media.
For those who were unable to attend, we still have a space for folks to share their stories: Click Here.
Check out the powerful testimonies here.
Unveiling of the 2nd Floor of Coffman Memorial Union
March 12th, 2014
Whose Diversity? provided a counter-narrative to the mainstream whitewashing and renovation of the 2nd floor of CMU. We asked critical questions in order to spark the historical memory of resistance at the U, which often gets silenced or erased in this institution.
Read More
Whose Diversity? Panel & Discussion
March 10th, 2014
Students, staff and faculty joined in a panel and discussion in which students from various majors, backgrounds and identities share their oftentimes negative and sometimes even violent experiences with "diversity" at the U - an institution that claims that diversity, social justice, and equity are some of its "core values." Whose Diversity? invited the audience to share their experiences in order to heal through sharing truths in community.
Watch part of the discussion unfold here.