Campus programs organize ‘Stand Against Racism’ activities

As part of National YWCA Take a Stand Against Racism Day on Friday, April 26, several campus programs are sponsoring events focused on civil rights, the legal system and social justice.

 

The program opens at noon with a Stand Against Racism Walk starting at Haigis Mall in front of the Fine Arts Center.

 

From 1-6 p.m. in 201 Wilder Hall, there will be a series of presentations, including speakers, a film screening, media gallery, student testimonials and performances.

 

Shelley Perdomo, director of the Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS) will give opening remarks.

 

At 1:10, a panel will discuss “Building Strong and Diverse Communities: Taking Action to Prevent and Reduce Acts of Racial Hatred.” The panelists are U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan, Debora Ferreira, executive director of equal opportunity and diversity at UMass Amherst, and Amilcar Shabazz, faculty advisor to the chancellor for diversity and excellence and professor of Afro-American studies at UMass Amherst.

 

At 2:15, there will be two presentations: “Is Inequality Making Us Sick?” a film screening and discussion facilitated by CMASS graduate assistant Valerie Jiggetts, and a “Students Open Dialogue” on students’ experiences dealing with racism, led by CMASS students Clevanne Julce, Elise Spencer and Dyana Collins.

 

A panel discussion, “Queer People of Color,” facilitated by the Stonewall Center Speakers Bureau and including Oscar Collins, associate director of academic support at CMASS, will be presented at 3:20 p.m.

 

At the same time, there will be a presentation on “Housing Discrimination” with alumni Malcolm Chu and Roberto Garcia of the organization Springfield No One Leaves.

 

At 4:25, a session on “Health Awareness & AIDS kNOw More” will feature presentations facilitated by Darryle Brooks of Social Justice Education and volunteers from Springfield’s AIDS kNOw More student organization.

 

Simultaneously, there will be a racism and classism role-play workshop facilitated by City Year-Boston.

 

At 5:30, there will be performances by Body Politics participants and alumnus Yevin Roh.

 

Organizers will be taking pictures of individuals whowant to share why they stand against racism at the Campus Center Concourse from weekdays until Thursday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. To view the collection visit: http://pinterest.com/cmassumass/umass-stand-against-racism

 

Community members can also participate bycompleting the statement, “I stand against racism because ...” and tweeting it to #StandAgainstRacism or by posting the Stand Against Racism pledge in departments or offices on April 26.

 

The participating programs are CMASS, the Women of Color Leadership Network (WOCLN) at the Center for Women & Community, Stonewall Center, Student Activities and Involvement, Center for Counseling and Psychological Health, Center for Health Promotion, Black Student Union and Social Justice Education.