About Us

Mission

Our mission is to support and empower faculty and students to disrupt and challenge systemic racism, with a view to dismantling it within our department through advocacy at the systems level, promoting anti-racist pedagogy, and student engagement.   


Vision

We envision an anti-racist and inclusive department where our Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students, faculty and staff can study and work without fear of racial discrimination or violence of any kind. We commit to actively engaging in sustained efforts to create a more equitable department and campus community.  

In their own words

Our Student Leaders


Tiana Brathwaite 

Senior: Sociology and Criminology double major

"The Anti-Racism community is important to me because as a BIPOC student here at Eastern, creating a safe space for people of color to express and share their ideas with other like-minded people is something I want to be a part of. Acknowledging that although we might come from different racial and cultural backgrounds, if we work together we can make a difference on campus and throughout the community."

Muneeb Butt 

Senior: Social Work major; Communications minor 

"It is important to be anti-racist anywhere and everywhere. It is important to teach people how to be anti-racist especially including yourself since we all have many hidden biases. Lastly, it is extremely important to learn to be anti-racist by also becoming an active ally, and by doing so you are able to create shifts within societies with the power of your voice. Everyone has a voice. It is only when those voices are heard, understood, and acknowledged through action that they are the most powerful. That is why I have joined this committee."

Alicia Abrahams 

Senior: Sociology major, Political Science minor 

"I joined the Anti-racism committee because I think everyone has a responsibility to promote diversity and inclusivity. To me being anti-racist is speaking up when we see injustices in our culture, institutions, and among our peers. As a BIPOC student, I think it's important that I use my voice and encourage other students to use their voices as well to create an anti-racist community. I hope that our committee can educate and innovate new ways for Eastern to dismantle discrimination and prejudices."

Our Faculty Members

Lecturer of Social Work 

Catina Caban-Owen

(Community member) 

This committee is important to me as I know:

I am prejudiced

I discriminate

I victimize and 

I am part of the problem

Professor of Sociology

Cara Bergstrom-Lynch 

This anti-racist work is important to me as an educator because I want to contribute to dismantling interlocking systems of oppression and institutionalized racism at Eastern.  Our BIPOC students deserve to be valued, heard, empowered and powerful.  As Fannie Lou Hamer said in her 1971 speech at a National Women's Caucus Event, "Nobody's free until everybody's free."

Lecturer of Sociology

Dennis Breslin

I grew up in a world that was in all things apartheid but it was in Chicago and we didn't have the words to call attention to it.  It's been a life of learning how to unlearn white racism.

Professor of Sociology 

Kimberly Dugan

It is well established in the field of sociology that one of the top ten American values is racial superiority.  As a sociologist, I am very aware of this sad truth and the impact that socialization has on individuals.  These two social facts lead to the keen realization that since we live in such a culture we are (more or less) racist. Regardless of intent or desire, this seems fundamental to me. I am committed to the work of antiracism for myself so I can work to undo my own internalized racism and ‘re-learn’ to be as anti-racist as I can be. This work informs my teaching, research, and engagement with students. 


Lecturer of Social Work 

Jara J. Rijs

I wanted to be a part of the SACSW Anti-Racism committee at Eastern because I am responsible for addressing and deconstructing the complex web of my own perceptions and exploring the impact in my everyday interactions. I seek to work with others to become comfortable with the internal exploration of these perceptions and to grow. This work is necessary to better understand the role inclusion, equity, and social justice play in my teaching, my research and my social work practice. I strive to commit to both my internal exploration and education and the work I do on campus to make safe spaces for student engagement.

Assistant Professor of Social Work 

Megan Stanton

This anti-racist work is important to me because I want to imagine and co-create spaces of shared liberation. As a social work educator and scholar I am well aware of our profession's commitment to social justice and anti-racism.  Operationalizing and enacting anti-racism in the context of my classroom, department, and the institution of Eastern requires ongoing accountability, critical reflection and growth.  I am grateful for this committee as a place to do this work in partnership with colleagues and students.

Lecturer of Sociology 

Brenda Westberry 

How we care for and value people in this world needs to improve beyond where we are today. I want to have conversations and hold myself and others accountable to the work that must be done to create genuine safe spaces and experiences for ALL.

Previous student members who have now graduated

Double Major in Sociology & Criminology 

Minor in Political Science

Alyssa Lawrence (Class of '22)

"This anti-racist work is significant to me because I believe it is important that those who are most affected by racism, discrimination, and other prejudices be at the forefront in combating those issues. I also want to be able to advocate for those who do not have the opportunity or are not invited into spaces where their voices can be heard."

Alyssa is currently a law student at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville



Double Major in Sociology & Criminology 

Minor in Business Information Systems 

Fiorella Otiniano (Class of '22) 

"This anti-racism committee is important to me because as an Eastern warrior, we must work towards achieving our campus' culture of respect, civility, and inclusion. By acknowledging the inequalities that exist,  we can work together to uphold that culture and ensure that Eastern is a safe and inclusive community for all."