Speaking of inclusivity...

Why do I feel as though anytime my opinions differ from my friends that voicing them would be social suicide? Welcome to campus where we preach diversity *disclaimer in fine print: but not of opinion. If you would like to be a free thinker and not go along with the crowd (well there are really two, sometimes three crowds, but you should choose one) then transfer you ass to a different school.* Too bad they didn't tell me that before. I am taking a blogging and commentary class and I had to write an editorial for my first assignment. I knew exactly what topic I wanted to write about, but I also knew that since my professor is the advisor to our student newspaper, there was a possibility it would be published. I am not at the point where I am comfortable publishing my opinion. Why? Because free speech may be my right, but somebody forgot to tell my peers. And right now, I am not willing to be ostracized for doing what I've always been taught to do. I was taught that I have a voice. Too bad I can't use it.

*disclaimer: I am in no way making any comment on the recent uproar over an opinion piece published in the above-mentioned newspaper. I am talking about my own opinion, which is absolutely unrelated to the subject of that piece.*

How to be inclusive

I serve on the Undergraduate Student Government Diversity Committee this year, and over the last few weeks have been developing a survey about diversity on my campus. What I found interesting and challenging was trying to word the questions so as to be inclusive, especially the demographic ones. I can't create a survey that goes against the principles of the very committee that is creating it! It's funny that I serve on the Diversity Committee, and as involved as I am with the diversity and inclusive excellence movement on campus, I still don't know how to entirely be inclusive myself. Is there really any right way, and who decides the right way?

One of my passions

I thought since this is my forum for discussing social justice, I would provide a link to my work addressing homelessness this year.

https://www.portfolio.du.edu/pc/port2?page=8&uid=18605

Tunnel of Oppression

I'm so behind in things I want to talk about!  ACK!  But anyway, Tunnel of Oppression was last Friday, and even though it pretty much felt like preaching to the choir, I really think some people's ideas and beliefs were challenged.  ASA performed our "The Movement" skit which we performed at eXpressions (something I just realized I never posted about, I fail).  

I guess I should explain the format a bit.  I think five skits were presented during the Tunnel, and after each was a debrief led by someone from the Center for Multicultural Excellence.

ASA's skit demonstrates what Asians have faced in America, who we are, and what we are going to do with the future, stressing that there is much individuality and difference under the broad umbrellas of "Asian" and "Asian American."  Afterward, Jesus from CME led the debrief.  He had all of ASA line up in front of the stage facing the audience.  He explained the concept of model minority, and he challenged the audience to explain why it is a harmful generalization.

The audience came back with a lot of responses on how it hurt other minorities, but it took some of ASA, including me, to really get them thinking about how it also negatively affects the very people it describes.  I think a lot of people's eyes were opened that day.

Kudos to the other groups who performed thought-provoking skits as well.

When choice becomes oppression, and how today I was empowered

I haven't posted anything in awhile, I'm sorry, there's so much that I want to talk about.  But today, or yesterday really, I shared my digital story I've been working on for the past 9 weeks.  I'm not sure it really needs an explanation, but basically it is the story of the evolution of my cultural identity.

Things to think about:  Sometimes, when people ask us to choose, they are oppressing us.  By sharing this, we re-empower ourselves.  Sharing my story today with my classmates, fellow Social Justice Community members, my instructors, and other important SJ and CME staff in my life made me feel better.  It was almost easy to create my story, and almost hard to share it. 

Thanks to the process, I am much more confident within my own skin, my own identity.  I am confident that someday, sharing a story like mine will no longer be necessary, because everyone will understand and accept people who share my struggle.

Today

So I guess I worried needlessly about class today.  Not that I wasn't uncomfortable, but nobody said anything to upset me or about me or anything.  Of course, I didn't contribute to the conversation at all, I'm not sure what that says.

On another note...

I sat in on a civic engagement class today while they debriefed from PHC.  It was very informative.  Most people had positive experiences, and those that didn't still learned from the event.  I don't think anyone walked away without taking something from participating in PHC.  I also heard some suggestions for improving the event next year.

And yes, some people realized that you can't go off of stereotypes when it comes to the homeless.  Hallelujah!  Yes, homeless people don't fit one mold.

Tomorrow

I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous about my public policy class tomorrow.  We'll be discussing affirmative action.  I shouldn't have to be afraid of how this is going to go.  But I honestly no longer feel that this class is a safe space for me.  I'm sure that at the very least I'm going to feel uncomfortable tomorrow regardless of how the discussion goes.  No one will have to point out that I'm the one minority in the class, the one who may have benefited the most from affirmative action as a minority and as a woman, two out of three.  Everyone's going to be thinking it.