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The mission of the University of Washington Tacoma is in large part to serve those who have been long denied higher education. That includes working class students, students of color and, more than any other group, black youth. From early years until its discontinuance in 2018, under the leadership of its Director Dr. Michael Honey, the UWT's Haley Professor of Humanities, the Center ought to study and build a better understanding of the dimensions of the racial and economic crises in our community and nationally; to organize and collaborate with community organizations; and to coordinate events and research to address these challenges. We are also focused broadly on the issues of human rights and conflict resolution, curbing police brutality, and stemming domestic violence, in partnerships with local community organizations such as the Tacoma Urban League and the African American Financial Capability Initiative Project.
From 2013 to 2016, the Center utilized a grant from the Fetzer Institute in Michigan, an organization to promote love and forgiveness, throughthe UWT Research Center in a project to promote a nonviolence initiative to restore friendship, collaboration, and grace within the human community. We partnered with Meaningful Movies to educate people about a broad range of issues and used the Fetzer grant to create the film, Love and Solidarity: James Lawson and Nonviolence in Search for Workers' Rights. The 38-minute film is copyrighted by the University of Washington and distributed nationally by Bullfrog Film, still available for campus, union and community screenings. [contact information]
Research Theme for 2018-19:
Among other themes for 2018-19, the Center emphasizes the intersection of social justice, nonviolence and community studies. In our era of conflict-incitement, this emphasis includes conflict resolution, in partnership with groups interested in lowering the level of violence in our communities.
On Tuesday May 2nd, 2018, we gathered for Dr Honey's presentation on his recent book, To the Promised Land: Martin Luther King and the Fight for Economic Justice, which became available on the anniversary of his Promised Land speech in Memphis, April 3rd. He took questions along with a panel of community members and Professor Paul Ortiz, a visiting author and faculty member of the University of Florida.
Photo taken by staff of The UWT Ledger
Professor Paul Ortiz also stayed May 3rd, where he gave a presentation on his book, An African American and Latinx History of the United States. Ortiz highlights the often neglected history of African American, Latinx, and indigenous peoples and their role in shaping the United States.
Photo taken by Olga Subbotin
Research Theme for 2016-17: “Black Lives and Economic Justice Matter”
January 28, 2016: the University of Washington Faculty Senate passed Class C Bulletin No. 548 Concerning “Black Lives Matter” Statement.
It can be found on the Faculty Senate website.
Photo taken by staff of The UWT Ledger
tacoma.uw.edu/cscs