BRIEF: SDEI hosts multiple programs inspired by recent George Floyd events
The murder of George Floyd and its ongoing protests have prompted the university’s office of Student Diversity Equity and Inclusion (SDEI) to host several events inspired by these recent events.
Aliya Beavers said the programs are intended to raise awareness and education on the history and social ramifications surrounding the issues of racism and policing of black bodies, to support black students and to provide support to UHCL community members who have been affected by all that is going on.
“We recognize that change is not going to happen overnight,” Beavers said. “Every member of the UHCL community has a responsibility to educate themselves on these issues and to ask the tough questions so that we can address systemic racism.”
So far, SDEI hosted four programs inspired by the death of George Floyd.
June 4 saw the hosting of community dialogue on June 4 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. At the meeting, students, staff and faculty discussed their thoughts on the recent protests and mixed feelings were expressed about the trust black students have in the university’s interests in black issues.
A Netflix Party viewing of the documentary “13th” was hosted on June 9 at 6 p.m.
On June 10, SDEI hosted the Circle of Sisters Support Group, where undergraduate and graduate black women were encouraged to share their experiences, gain support and build community.
A similar event was held the next day for black undergraduate and graduate males, known as the Black Male Initiative, a program hosted by Student Success Center Director Dorsey Thomas.
The next upcoming event is a two-part series called Diversity in the Time of the Pandemic, being hosted in collaboration with Counseling Services. Beavers described the two-part series as an effort to help those students, staff, and faculty who are feeling overwhelmed by the nation’s ongoing issue police brutality of black Americans.
“We recognize that dealing with these issues while also navigating everything that comes along with the coronavirus pandemic can be challenging,” Beavers said. “This will be a space to share and learn about participants’ feelings, what is mentally happening, healthy coping skills, and about the mental weight that comes with being a “minority” and in a pandemic on top of the national racial unrest.”
Part one of the program will be hosted Wednesday, June 24 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Part two is on Wednesday, July 2 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“The Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office is here to help in any way that we can as we navigate this as a university community,” Beavers said. “Additional programs are being planned and more long term training and programming is also being discussed but those are in the early stages and I do not have enough information at this time to share.”
Beavers said all program information will be posted on SDEI social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) and on Get Involved.
