The Student Government Diversity Committee is thrilled to announce its programming for the 2020 Diversity Week held this March 16-21. Diversity Week is an annual celebration, information and advocacy week hosted by Student Government. It was created in order to highlight our diverse campus community, advocate for underrepresented voices and create critical dialogue.
This year, we are proud to announce that our theme is “Intersectionality.” The term was coined by law professor Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw in 1989 in order to describe how race, class, gender and other individual characteristics intersect and overlap with one another. In order to make this year’s Diversity Week truly intersectional, we have created events in collaboration with a variety of organizations on Truman’s campus. We are working with the Center for Diversity & Inclusion, PRISM: Truman State University’s Pride Alliance, the Association of Black Collegians, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, the Center for International Students, the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Program, National Pan-Hellenic Council Greek organizations, the Episcopal Campus Ministry and a variety of other cultural and identity based organizations.
Our events are made possible by the following co-sponsors: Greek Life, the Student Affairs Office, the classical and modern language department, the Office of Admissions, the Center for Diversity & Inclusion, and the sociology, anthropology, and justice systems department.
The Unity Dinner will be provided from 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 16 in the Student Union Building Activities Room. The function is a free of charge event and will feature presentations from a variety of Truman’s cultural, identity and support-based organizations in addition to guided table discussion. All Truman students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to attend. Gluten free and vegetarian options are available upon request. Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP.
The Faith and the LGBTQ+ Community Panel will be presented at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 in Baldwin Hall 114. Join us to hear stories and perspectives from LGBTQ+ community members surrounding the navigation of faith, sexuality and identity.
Spaces of Exile, Music of Unity: The Arrival of Salsa in the Heartland will be hosted at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 in the SUB Activities Room. Pablo Sanhueza, creative director and co-founder of the Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra, will perform and present on the political and cultural significance of Afro-Latin music in the midwest while telling the story of political exiles and immigrants arriving in Kansas City in the 1970s and 1980s. This event is open to all.
The Supporting Students of Color Panel is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19 in BH 114. This panel will focus on the unique obstacles and experiences of students of color at Truman State University. Through this discussion, we hope to uncover barriers and strategize ways to expand inclusivity at Truman. The event is open to all.
The “Moonlight” showing and discussion will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, March 20 in Violette Hall 1000. “Moonlight” is a critically acclaimed film which earned the 2016 Academy Award for Best Picture. It is a semi-autobiographical work based on Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue.” The film follows the main character across his youth, adolescence and early adult life as he faces obstacles related to his sexuality, identity and physical and emotional violence. Following the showing of the film, the Association of Black Collegians and the Queer People of Color Collective will host a discussion around the film. Capacity is first come, first served.
The Diversity Retreat is planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 21 in the SUB Activities Room. This opportunity is an annual event hosted by the Center for Diversity & Inclusion. Join us to examine and discuss identity, intersectionality and the impact of privilege and oppression through a series of interactive activities, experiences and critical dialogue hosted by the CDI. Lunch is provided. RSVP is available on the Truman website.
Please reach out to Shania at sm4145@truman.edu if you have any questions.