Racial And Social Justice Personal Statement

Dr. Cephas Archie is the Diversity & Inclusion Program Coordinator for Houston Community College (HCC), where he assists in the implementation of the colleges 7 + campus Diversity & Inclusion Plan. Collaboratively working with all institutional stakeholders – both internal and external, Dr. Archie spearheads the institution’s diversity and inclusion efforts for the near 81,000 students, faculty and staff. As an employee of the Office of Institutional Equity at HCC, his efforts are accompanied by the college’s Diversity & Inclusion Council.

Over the last couple of years, I have had many opportunities that dealt with me enriching diversity for my campus and community. Being a member of Phi Theta Kappa has many immeasurable benefits. One benefit that came with me being a chapter officer at North Hennepin Community College is that every year we get to choose a project that benefits or raises awareness to the community. This year me and my Phi Theta Kappa team chapter members wanted to see what our fellow student body members thought about equally underrepresented minorities in position of power. We were able to gather and interpret the results. From the results, I personally changed my attitude, I learned that everyone needs to be educated so that they could be more knowledgeable

Companies and educational institutions greatly benefit from the guidelines of affirmative action because they profit from the different ideas, work styles, and contributions unique to each diverse individual. As quoted in Paul Connors’s compilation, Affirmative Action, President of Columbia University, Lee Bollinger, addresses the importance of a diverse educational system by stating, “The experience of arriving on a campus to live and study with classmates from a diverse range of backgrounds is essential to students' training for this new world, nurturing in them an instinct to reach out instead of clinging to the comforts of what seems natural or familiar” (12-13). A statement by Southeastern Oklahoma State University further supports the idea that success in modern day society stems from diversity saying, “Our country is strong because of the rich diversity of our culture, not in spite of it” (Affirmative Action).

Since entering SMU in the fall of 2013 I have had the honor and privilege of meeting some of the most outstanding indivuals. SMUs black population represents the crème of the crop. I say this because despite the numerous obstacles that society has placed in our way, we are all still here. We represent countless black people that continue to fight in the battle against oppression. When there isn’t a way we make a way. We make spaces for ourselves such as ABS, NPHC, SSS and BME. I have gone to numerous forums, meetings, film showings, service events, fish fry’s, barbeques, step shows, talent shows, church outings, teas, demonstrations, fundraisers and numerous other events with the goal of supporting my black brothers and sisters. The black community

Today, African American students are under-represented in college and universities, and the reason is the ongoing disenfranchisement of African American students. Our education system needs be more responsive and needs to pay more attention to the college preparation for these students. People of color historically have been misrepresented, exploited, silenced, and taken for granted in education research (Dillard, 2000; Stanfield, 1995), (H. Richard Milner IV, 2008).

I am interested in the Socially Justice Coordinator position because I want to make sure that various voices are heard around campus. At a predominately white institution, it is very easy for the dominant perspective to be that of a white male, and I want to be a socially conscious coordinator to ensure that the voices of other people don't get muted out by the majority. I have a very personal connection to this goal because I am member of the minority group on campus ,being that I am a black female, so a lot of these issues will hit home for me and draw out my personal passion and commitment. Not only do I want to be a Socially Conscious coordinator to bring to the table some of my own experiences and ideas ,but I also want bring to light the perspective of others that I don't have a lot of have to first-hand experience with, such as members of the LGBTQ+ community, people who suffer from mental health issues ,other minority groups. I believe that it is important to show and represent the perspective of as many people that we can so that the students at the University of Georgia can gain a well-rounded perspective that allows them to be better stewards in this multi-cultural world that we live in. In order to achieve this goal, I will bring to this position my creativity to develop fun, engaging, and beneficial events, my knack of marketing to help spread the word of the socially conscious

When I started this phenomenal journey of researching, African-American professionals in higher education, I never realized that indeed there was truth in the obstacles, restrictions and biases in their way that must be overcome. In this research paper we will highlight and discuss some of the reasons that African- American professionals faces in higher education and some of the resources, that can be used to dismantle the indifferences. The progress has been slow in the academic arena for African-Americans in higher education. It has being over two decades from 1980 to 2003 African Americans make up only 4.3% of full time faculty in Americans universities and since 2003 it as only gone up by 1.2%. Progression toward a goal to dismantle obstacles to academe life for African- American professionals is the only way to winning the battle in education (Schwarz et al 2010).

We, Lindenwood University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force are charged with promoting the well-being, safety and security of a diverse academic community in which teaching, learning, and the exchange of ideas can flourish, and where we encounter, encourage, and interrogate ideas that challenge settled notions of truth.

According to Obear and Martinez (2013), race caucuses “can be a powerful multicultural incentive to deepen the competencies of higher education administrators and student affairs practitioners to create equitable, inclusive campus environment for students and staff” (p. 79). This article discusses how diversity training targets racism on college campuses. Race caucuses can deepen the competences of higher education leaders by making it possible for them recognize racism, internalized dominance, internalized oppression, and its impact on personal and profession development within the institution. By using this type of methodology, universities are slowly seeing social and organizational change that eliminates racial barriers.

Currently in the University of Missouri there are hundreds of black students protesting over what they believe is right. The university of Missouri has shown some sketchy behavior towards their students of color, which is causing racial tensions on campus. This sparked students into action; they have been protesting incidents that they believe were not handled correctly. These students took it in their own hands to speak out on the social injustice they have noticed in their school. It shows how university students are working with each other to work for the same cause that can benefit the whole school. The students are leading with integrity because they are fighting for something they believe for. They are speaking up for what they want to

My passion for social justice and accountably led me to pursue a career that involves law and public policy. I seek to learn how to analyze social problems and contribute meaningful solutions. As a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, I have begun working on this skill and would like to build on it and one day apply it in the real world. One of my current research projects as an undergraduate student at the University of Washington concerns the United States economic policies towards Argentina during the Dirty War and their impact on Latin America today. I want to know why certain policies were put in place and what those in power hoped to get out of the new laws. Another one of my research projects concerns changes to the Tigris River from the late 19th century to today. Through mapping software, I map major changes in the river that are due to economically and politically motivated policies. With this research I highlight changes in major dam projects, canals and irrigation projects as well as groups of people and tribes dislocated by changes to the river.

I am interested in working with the Disciplinary Review Committee, because I am interested in social justice based off actions. I believe avery action should have a fair consequence. I want to spend my time helping others, by finding out the facts and true stories. I think being on the Disciplinary Review Committee would also expand my own knowledge on social justice, and provide me with different experiences and perspectives on discipline, and what it is.

As someone who is passionate about issues of social justice; who enjoys engaging in a healthy debate; and whose life experiences have fostered an appreciation for legal protection, I am drawn to the academic study of law. Since graduating from my first degree, I have held a variety of jobs including some within the food service industry. It is in fact through my experience working in a field unrelated to law that has reinforced my interest in the study and practice of law. While employed as a waitress, I witnessed countless cases of employers unlawfully deducting workers' wages; ignoring workplace harassment; and refusing to acknowledge an employee's right to take breaks. Having personally submitted an employment-standards claim to the Ministry of Labour, I know how much time is involved in filing a claim against an employer.

I also worked for Athletics IFUND group in Premium Seating sales where I met Howard Milton who's been nothing but an angel. I served on the Student Organization Resource Fee Board as well as the 2015 Illinois Homecoming Court. I was on the planning Committee for the 2016 Black and Latino Male Summit as well as a volunteer for the 2016 NFL Draft in Chicago and got to witness LaQuon get drafted in the first round. I graduated this May with a degree in Recreation Sport & Tourism with a concentration in Sport Management and Pre-Law. I currently intern for Division of Intercollegiate Athletics’ Information Technology department and have been admitted to both the College of Law and Business through the Master of Studies in Law and Master of Science in Technology Management graduate programs. I’ve also been offered a Graduate Mentor position for the Office of Minority Student Affairs, helping first generation, low income, and minority students like myself. I get to help narrow the retention, achievement, and graduation gaps between targeted first generation, low income, minority and at-risk students while pursuing my a graduate degree.

As the first semester of graduate school is ending, my perspective on privilege, race, and culture has drastically changed from my perspective now. The program has challenged me in ways that are unexplainable and I can only imagine how I will feel after completing the program. I had explained in my previous reflection papers how my physical disability and my ethnicity have helped define my identity. The program has helped provide insight and awareness about my identity and how I view myself. One thing that is a massive part of my identity and the person that I am, is based off my biological anatomy. I am proud to be a woman, and I am privileged because I have always identified with my gender. However, I have also had to work harder to be taken seriously, especially in the work force. The oppression that women have faced for centuries is too vague to mention in a paper, but I will share my personal difficulties as a woman, particularly within the Latino culture. I will provide insight from my family’s background and the clients that I am currently working with as well. There are many patterns and problems that are parallel between the women I am working with, from myself, and from my family. The Latino culture is beautiful and strong, but also comes from traditional values that are harmful for women.