Standing in Solidarity Against Racism

For campus leaders and allies who are engaging in conversations across campus, check out these tips from the office of Dr. Bleuzette Marshall, VP for Equity, Inclusion, and Community Impact.

First and foremost, ask yourself the question: Am I part of the problem or part of the solution?

Do

• Listen - be in the moment to hear what is said and what isn't said
• Empathize - as people are expressing themselves, find points of connection and engage in perspective taking
• Provide space - allow the opportunity for individuals to gather for the purpose of sharing their thoughts and feelings as well as their suggestions for organizational improvement
• Extend grace - your employees and/or students are processing events differently and you never know who has been personally impacted or re-traumatized
• Seek to understand - this is the time for education and reflection so you can best determine your future action
• Act - use your influence, power or privilege to address exclusive practices and create opportunities

Don't

• Get defensive - this may not be about you personally (unless you've engaged in discriminatory practices); be open to critique no matter the level of harshness without trying to defend past actions
• Deflect - conversations about race and racial justice are uncomfortable because people don't engage in them with any frequency or for any extended period of time; stay the course, don't change the subject or interject another marginalized community, this can result in dueling oppression
• Make it about you - this not the time to share your personal struggles; stay in the moment and allow others to have voice
• Over talk or interrupt - allow speakers to finish their statements without interruption 
• Discuss past accomplishments - This is a Janet Jackson moment. Folks don't care what you've done, they want to know what have you done for me lately? or what you're going to do to eliminate racism within your organization

• For UC Blue Ash students who are interested in getting involved in our ongoing collaborative summer conversations with students from the Men of Color Collaborative and Sister Circle, please email Student Life at ucblueashsls@uc.edu.
• Want to make your voice heard and represent UC Blue Ash students? Please consider joining UCBA’s chapter of Student Government.
• Still want to learn more about UC’s university-wide equity and inclusion initiatives? Please visit the Office of Equity and Inclusion’s webpage to learn more.
• UC Blue Ash College welcomes feedback from students, faculty and staff. Please make your voice heard with our UCBA is Listening form.

Books

• How to be an Anti Racist by Ibram X. Kendi 
• White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
• Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice that Shapes What We Think, See and Do by Jennifer Eberhardt
• Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad
• Police: A Field Guide by David Correia and Tyler Wall
• The New Jim Crow, Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colourblindness by Michelle Alexander
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
• Just Mercy by Bryan Stephenson
• Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Websites

• National Geographic: She co-founded Black Lives Matter. Here’s why she’s so hopeful for the future.
• Teaching Tolerance: This site is geared towards educators with a robust set of articles, podcasts and webinars to help provide context to current societal ills as well as strategies to help build more inclusive practices.
• A Detailed List of Anti-Racism Resources by Katie Couric
• Dismantle Collective
• Race Matters: Eradicating Racism in the Corporate World webinar from Korn Ferry

Support BIPOC Scholarship Funds

• Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program
• Eric Broyles Scholarship

• Division of Student Life & Success

Brad Mallory
Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence
Email: mallorbp@ucmail.uc.edu