Anti-Racism Resources

The Office of Student Activities stands in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and detests police brutality, systemic racism, discrimination, and oppression. We strive to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for the entire Hastings College community and challenge all students, faculty, and staff to actively stand against racism and oppression. Below are resources to remain educated, support BIPOC communities, and actively be anti-racist rather than not racist. This is a non-exhaustive list, and if you ever come across a valuable resource you would like to include, please feel free to Student Activities Coordinator, Alyssa Roush (alyssa.roush@hastings.edu).

A CALL TO ACTION FOR STUDENTS & GROUPS

We recognize the history of our education system, including and not limited to the history of the creation of student activities and groups, and the need to commit ourselves, as a predominantly White community, to self-reflect and act to build a better, more inclusive, and equitable environment.

As the advisor of Hastings' student groups and Student Association, I recognize the privilege I possess as a White, cisgender-passing woman, as well as my need to continue to educate myself to be a stronger ally and advocate for our students. I am committed to using my platforms, voice, and resources to amplify the experiences, needs, and concerns of marginalized communities, and call upon the rest of our community--students and employees--to join me in creating a culture of respect.

In addition to the action steps being taken by the Office of Student Engagement, we challenge you, our student leaders, to actively stand up against racism and oppression in your groups, on our campus, and in the greater world. The movement for justice, equity, and accountability must begin here at home as we examine our own practices and impact. It is important to recognize that our educational and social systems were originally founded in a segregated world for the benefit of predominantly White, wealthy students. However, that is not the way you or your groups should function today. Resist the urge to sit complacently on the sidelines or to assume that systemic oppression does not impact you or your communities. Call out oppression framed as tradition. Engage in honest reflection, reexamine your group's practices, challenge old ways of thinking, begin the process of self-education, and consider ways your groups can help to build a more just world.

If you need any help, additional resources, support, or a place to talk, vent, or exist, the Office of Student Activities practices an open door policy--and there are snacks.

With continuous support and respect,

Alyssa Roush (she/they) | Student Activities Coordinator | alyssa.roush@hastings.edu
Office Location: Hazelrigg Student Union, behind Campus Connect Desk

VALUES-BASED CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Civic engagement means using your knowledge, skills, and values to create change in your communities and addressing public concerns. The Office of Student Activities is here to help you do that. Below is a non-exhaustive list of ways to be civically engaged and aligned with the College and Office’s core values.

PHILANTHROPY/SERVICE

Volunteer with or begin philanthropic partnerships with organizations that support People of Color and the Black community such as:

Black Lives Matter
Trans Women of Color Collective
Black Girls Code
NAACP
National Black Justice Coalition
More organizations can be found here

ACCESSIBILITY

Ensure your governing documents, policies, practices, and programs are accommodating for all members regardless of socioeconomic status, race, religion, etc. to ensure access and involvement
Encourage your governing councils, inter/national organizations, and institution to implement sustainable policies regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion

LEADERSHIP

Be an advocate and active bystander
Call out racist comments and jokes
Ensure marginalized members’ voices are represented during decision-making
Lead by example–attend educational events and encourage others to as well

INTEGRITY

Hold yourself and each other accountable for upholding the values of your group, your community, and the College
Make sure your actions are congruent with your words

COMMUNITY

Promote respectful treatment of all members, students, and community members at large
Allow for a safe, judgment-free, open discussion forum for members to understand and discuss White privilege and its impacts on your chapter, the community, and the campus
Practice compassion, understanding, and empathy

ENGAGEMENT

Collaborate with campus leaders and multicultural organizations to promote inclusion, education, and amplification of diverse perspectives on campus
Implement educational training regarding implicit bias, diversity, power and privilege, etc.
Get involved in the campus and local communities. Vote. Join boards, commissions, and/or committees. Run for a leadership position to help create change. Sign petitions. Attend or help organize protests. Support local businesses, especially those owned by BIPOC and other underserved communities.

LEARNING

To better understand the issues before us, we are going to have to take the initiative to learn new things. Reject the desire to ask Black people, Indigenous people, or People of Color (BIPOC) to explain racism for you–find resources created by BIPOC to help educate yourself. Some non-exhaustive educational resources are listed below.

TO WATCH:

13th
American Son
Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975
Clemency
Dear White People
Do The Right Thing
Eyes on the Prize
Free Angela & All Political Prisoners
Fruitvale Station
Higher Learning
Just Mercy
I Am Not Your Negro
If Beale Street Could Talk
Selma
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
The Hate U Give
When They See Us

TO READ:

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria (Beverly Tatum)
I’m Still Here (Austin Channing Brown)
Whistling Vivaldi (Claude Steel)
White Awake (Daniel Hill)
How to be An Antiracist (Ibram Kendi)
The Fire Next Time (James Baldwin)
White Fragility (Robin DiAngelo)
Me and White Supremacy (Layla F. Saad)
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness (Michelle Alexander)
Just Mercy (Bryan Stevenson)
The Hate U Give (Angie Thomas)

TO LISTEN TO:

White Lies (NPR)
The 1619 Project (New York Times)
Uncivil (Gimlet Media)
Pass the Mic (The Witness Podcast Network)
Seeing White

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

We recognize and celebrate the intersecting identities in our community. We are here to help you in the best ways that we can. Below are some more non-exhaustive resource lists catered toward specific identities.