Diversity & Inclusion Resources

The Mu Chapter of Alpha Sigma Kappa strives to value equity, diversity, and inclusion. We believe our organization plays an integral role in uplifting students' voices both at the University of Richmond and STEM fields beyond. 

Our members believe that regardless of race, gender, sexuality, country of origin, ability, or socioeconomic status (amongst other identities), every member should be treated equally. 

Our chapter accepts any women, non-binary individuals, or femme presenting persons regardless of sex assigned at birth and or/gender expression. We are proud to announce that after a year's work this is now officially reflected in our bylaws. 

We know it is only a step in the right direction and we will continue to work hard to foster an inclusive space. Every member within our organization exemplifies our values of personal growth, friendship, service, and loyalty. We welcome any new members with open arms into our chapter’s family! 

Articles

"Answering White People's Most Commonly Asked Questions about the Black Lives Matter Movement" by Courtney Martin (June 1, 2020)

"Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?" by Ibram X. Kendi (May 12, 2020)

Indigenous Peoples' Health Disparities from the Indian Health Service

"Black Women, the forgotten survivors of sexual assault" by Jameta Nicole Barlow, PhD, MPH (February, 2020)

"Black Women's Health Study" from the Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University

"The Health Care System and Racial Disparities in Maternal Mortality" by Theresa Calhoub and Kelly Rimar (May 10, 2018)

"Health Disparities in HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STDs, and TB" from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Videos

"How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion": Peggy McIntosh at TEDxTimberlaneSchools

"Black Feminism & the Movement for Black Lives": Barbara Smith, Reina Gossett, Charlene Carruthers at Creating Change Conference

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Books

When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Kahn-Cullors, Asha Bandele, Angela Y. Davis (with a Discussion Guide)

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin Diangelo

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

When Affirmative Action Was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth-Century America by Ira Katznelson

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement by Barbara Ransby

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet

Podcasts

1619 (New York Times)

Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast

About Race

Film & TV Series

13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix

Selma (Ava DuVernay) — Available to rent

Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix

When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix

Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) — Available to rent for free in June in the U.S. (Youtube, Amazon prime etc.)

Organizations to Follow

NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund

ACLU

Color of Change

Reclaim the Block

Equal Justice Initiative

Communities United Against Police Brutality

Black Women's Health Study

More Resources to Check Out

Anti Racism Project

“Why is this happening?” - an introduction to police brutality from 100 Year Hoodie

Ways to Help: Petition master list

How to be an Ally + Help Asian-Americans Fight Anti-Asian Racism

Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community

Articles To Read

Diversity in STEM: What It Is and Why It Matters

Why do we think it’s cool?: 

500 Queer scientists

Why do we think it’s cool?: It’s an online database/listing of LGBTQ+ scientists (or people in science-supporting positions). Currently (as of 10/13/23) housing 1,871 stories. Showing that LGBTQ+ people very much so exist in every single STEM space you can imagine.

SACNAS Biography Project

Why do we think it’s cool?: An online archive of first-person stories by and about scientists with advanced degrees in science, again demonstrating that Chicano/Hispanic and Native American scientists exist in every single STEM space you can imagine.

How LGBT+ scientists would like to be included and welcomed in STEM workplaces

Why do we think it’s cool?: It’s a guide to creating space for LGBTQ+ coworkers in any workplace–specifically a STEM-centered one, though.

AMA: Racism is a threat to public health

Why do we think it’s cool?: This statement by the American Medical Association defines racism as a public health threat–something that could be relevant to those of us looking into careers in the medical field! Specifically, it defines race as a social construct, and detaches it from potentially medically/physically-relevant assumptions.

On Being Black in the Ivory Tower 

Why do we think it’s cool?: It’s a collection of stories from various Black scientists on their experiences of disbelonging in the science community, feelings of imposter syndrome, commitment to perseverance and preservation of spaces for POC in science, and hopes of mentoring the next generation of scientists. (Access the article with your Richmond email!)

An excerpt from “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Sheryl Sandberg 

Why do we think it’s cool?: This excerpt recounts the historical advances for women in society, acknowledges the progress yet to be seen, and calls for women to occupy more positions of power! It sort of reminds you why an organization like ASK exists in the first place–even if we see plenty of non-men in STEM in the classroom, it’s important to have connections to others and knowledge of the presence of others who are successful in our fields that don’t necessarily look like our predominantly men coworkers. Good thing our bond is forever <3