Social Justice Mixer
Student Activism Then and Now: A Teach-In
Wednesday, December 4th, 5-6:30 pm, Barus & Holley Rm 168
In light of recent events, come listen to a variety of student and faculty panelists shed light on the history of community organizing at this university, including history of student/faculty involvement, relationships with the corporation, activism going on now, and more.
Please email [email protected] with questions/concerns. We hope to see many people there.
PLAN A SOCIAL JUSTICE CONFERENCE
We are planning a social justice conference in spring 2014. Its intended to provide Brown students withresources, skills, and connections to be able to critically engage with issues of social justice, through the lens that asserts that issues of identity as essential. Primarily, the weekend will consist of panels, discussion breakout sessions, as well as skill-building sessions.
We're looking for a group of people who are willing to help organize the conference! Email [email protected] or [email protected] if you are interested or if you have any questions!
Groups represented
$ocial Classmates
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Facilitate various workshops that offer a safe space for self-exploration and dialogue revolving around issues of classism and social class identity
What we can offer: Currently, there are 3 different types of workshops people can choose to participate in - semester long (once a week for 1.5 hours in small groups), mini-series (semester themes and topics condensed into a format that fits into about 3 meetings over the course of a month), and one-time workshops (where we work with specific campus organizations to offer sensitivity trainings and facilitate discussion about various class-related themes).
What we need: We are always looking to expand and have greater visibility. We are generally open to hold/co-sponsor more panels, speaker series, mixers, parties, etc. and would love to be considered as a resource for various other, more established groups with missions that intersect with class.
Students for Justice in Palestine
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: A student group fighting against occupation from position as Brown students (some main pushes have been divestment from American companies profiting off of occupation). In the past, much work has been with the Brown Immigrant Rights Coalition, but now looking towards expansion and have partnered more recently with groups like Brown Divest Coal.
What we need: Would love to collaborate and hear general ideas. A lot of people’s reasoning for lack of greater involvement oftentimes takes the form of someone saying they “don’t have enough personal connection” to the issue. Hope to illuminate just how passion does not need to be so personally-inspired, and one reason for passion is that it’s related to a myriad of global issues. Want to help spread word that, to some extent, everyone is personally touched by this.
Brown ACLU
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Focus on issues dealing with civil liberties violations (ex: free speech, privacy, due process, cruel and unusual punishment, etc).
What we are currently working on: Police misconduct project in PVD area
What we would like: To hear from people who could help, or people/organizations that have other projects that fall under civil rights/liberties umbrella.
Brown Conversation
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Community of individuals who have conversations and dialogues that provoke critical introspection, typically every week.
What we need: Spread awareness about what is up next on the agenda so that as many as possible attend. The event is Re-Orientation, a 3-day intensive experience before the start of spring semester for freshmen and sophomores to re-evaluate undergrad experience so far.
Trans* Page/Gender Action/Queer Alliance
Contact: [email protected]
Different groups, but all represented last night by: [email protected]
QA: Student group for queer/questioning students on campus
Gender Action and Trans* Page: Address policy changes and advocacy for trans students (Some examples include gender neutral housing and email address changes, just to name a few.) There is an upcoming project on deck with a petition that will be soon circulated.
What we need: Because Gender Action specifically is such a small group, there is a limit to how many networks they can reach, so it would be very helpful for allies to spread petitions, especially, to their various circles.
Student Language Exchange
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Bring underrepresented languages to campus – filling in linguistic gaps within course-offerings. Consider this group social justice oriented because a key component of community work is being able to communicate with people and have more equal relationships. We can offer cultural exposure and validation, especially for international students.
What we need from others: A desire to learn non-European languages, interest in reaching out to SLE as a resource, and energy!
Change Magazine
Website: Change-Magazine.org
What we are: Brand new magazine on campus that already has branches at 9 other campuses. The publication focuses on grassroots social action, specifically what groups on campus are doing, what folks are doing in the Providence community, and what types of things students are doing during their summers.
What we need: Writers! People can function as guest writers or have a more formal role on the writing staff, but a desire to share stories and quests for change are much needed.
Student Labor Alliance
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Stand in solidarity with workers on campus and around the world. As students, we have a position where we can help change the status quo by putting pressure on various decision-makers, ranging from Brown administrators to multinational corporations. Past campaigns have included supporting Brown campus workers during contract negotiations with the university, and working to end sweatshop conditions in hotels, fields and factories by supporting worker organizing.
What we need: Currently in the midst of a BDS support campaign and need more people to sign this petition:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1blVB9XonTz3WUXm2qx3vu2WYbTRnBcSOgDedrt_BhPs/viewform
D’Abate After-school Program Through Swearer Center
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Brown volunteers teaching afterschool clubs everyday of the week in a variety of subjects at William D’Abate Elementary School in the Olneyville neighborhood. Currently looking for more volunteers.
Challenges/What we need: The volunteer population is often vastly different from student population and we are looking for ideas on how to bridge that cultural gap. Very open to hearing from various people and organizations about ideas for training, cultural sensitivity workshops, etc.
Student Advisory Committee for the Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Pushing the mission of the Center and engage the Brown community in the work the Center does. In order to engage students in what the Center does, we want to work and collaborate with student organizations with missions that revolve around human rights issues, and spread the mission. In addition, we want to make the center available as a resource as well, and some projects even include creating a space for the student research of historical and modern forms of slavery and human bondage. There are internships and research money available for students looking into these topics, as well as the intersection of historical slavery and modern-day fights for justice. A main focus is to educate about the “Report on Slavery and Justice” not only to increase general awareness, but also to push for some of its recommendations which relate a lot to modern-day injustices on campus. This is especially important under President Paxson’s new administration.
What we need: For people to spread knowledge about this mission and perhaps engage in some of the aforementioned ways.
BOLT
[email protected]
What we do: The Brown Outdoor Leadership Training (BOLT) program aims to foster the personal exploration and practice of leadership and create a community of support for sophomore and new transfer students. The program begins with a 5-day hiking trip before the fall semester and builds on this shared experience with more events back on campus.
What we can offer: Community building, training, and leadership workshops. Also, we create access to outdoors and outdoor experiences for all people.
What we need: Input/advice about how to make the program more accessible to people of all backgrounds, regardless of experiences. Also, currently there is a struggle to fill the leadership ranks with people of diverse backgrounds. We encourage more people to apply and spread the word, in the hopes that the organization itself becomes more diverse. Information about applying is located at http://brown.edu/Student_Services/BOLT/apply/aboutleaderapp.html. Part 1 of the application is due by December 7 and only takes a minute!
Brown Human Rights Report
Website: Brownhumanrightsreport.org
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Founded as a forum for student groups doing all this type of social justice work that seeks to educate the Brown campus and a greater global audience. For this reason, human rights is defined very broadly within this publication. All types of issues, from international to local, seek to be represented.
What we can offer: A space for groups to share their missions in a published format.
What we need: Looking to partner with other groups, and receive written pieces for publication. Email Cam at the above address for further information about submissions.
PrYSM
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Stands for Providence Youth Student Movement, we are a group focused on working with the Southeast Asian community in particular on issues revolving around racial and queer justice. A lot of current work is dedicated to trying to fight homophobia within communities and working with other organizations like DARE and the Olneyville Neighborhood Association to stop racial profiling (working towards passing a bill that has been held up lately).
What we need: Attendees at fundraising dinner at brown this weekend celebrating 12th anniversary; representatives from various organizations could network here with different Providence organizations and spread our impact further. Tickets are $30 for those interested in attending.
Brown Divest Coal
Informally represented by: [email protected]
What we do: Despite The Corporation’s recent decision to not divest from 15 companies complicit with coal usage, the battle is not over. Recently, Divest Coal has teamed up with other organizations based on the idea of collective liberation.
What we need: To continue building various coalitions to strengthen goal. Considering this is such an interconnected struggle, we are open to working with various student justice groups and want to see a collective future.
Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE)
340 Lockwood Street Providence, RI
What we do: Some examples of past DARE projects - had the policy that sought to shackle pregnant inmates to hospital beds when in labor removed, restored the voting rights of formally incarcerated persons, and led the charge so that, as of January 1st, the box on job applications asking if people have ever been committed of a crime will be removed. With a board of directors comprised totally of DARE members/people from the community, the people making strategic planning decisions are people who are directly affected by the policies.
What we need: There are constantly meetings and projects that upcoming students could come to.
Individuals who spoke
Alex
Contact: [email protected]
Looking for people who want to work on greater outreach to general Providence community, which could take the form of such things as: 1) advertising for events that are open to the public so that people not formally affiliated with Brown actually know the resources in their communities and attend, 2) recruiting people of color to act as interpreters and form a sort of “interpreters collective” to better represent the people within the community, and 3) bridge the divide between Brown and other Providence universities in the hopes of more effectively engaging with the greater Providence community in general. Much of this could be begun by the creation of a listserv or some sort of newsletter that reaches people outside of the Brown community to share information about Brown-affiliated events.
Jenny Li
Contact: [email protected]
Upcoming event on December 4, from 5-6:30pm in Barus and Holley 168 – “Teach-In on Student Activism (Then and Now).” Faculty will speak on the history of student activism at Brown – Come and bring friends!
Student Activism Then and Now: A Teach-In
Wednesday, December 4th, 5-6:30 pm, Barus & Holley Rm 168
In light of recent events, come listen to a variety of student and faculty panelists shed light on the history of community organizing at this university, including history of student/faculty involvement, relationships with the corporation, activism going on now, and more.
Please email [email protected] with questions/concerns. We hope to see many people there.
PLAN A SOCIAL JUSTICE CONFERENCE
We are planning a social justice conference in spring 2014. Its intended to provide Brown students withresources, skills, and connections to be able to critically engage with issues of social justice, through the lens that asserts that issues of identity as essential. Primarily, the weekend will consist of panels, discussion breakout sessions, as well as skill-building sessions.
We're looking for a group of people who are willing to help organize the conference! Email [email protected] or [email protected] if you are interested or if you have any questions!
Groups represented
$ocial Classmates
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Facilitate various workshops that offer a safe space for self-exploration and dialogue revolving around issues of classism and social class identity
What we can offer: Currently, there are 3 different types of workshops people can choose to participate in - semester long (once a week for 1.5 hours in small groups), mini-series (semester themes and topics condensed into a format that fits into about 3 meetings over the course of a month), and one-time workshops (where we work with specific campus organizations to offer sensitivity trainings and facilitate discussion about various class-related themes).
What we need: We are always looking to expand and have greater visibility. We are generally open to hold/co-sponsor more panels, speaker series, mixers, parties, etc. and would love to be considered as a resource for various other, more established groups with missions that intersect with class.
Students for Justice in Palestine
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: A student group fighting against occupation from position as Brown students (some main pushes have been divestment from American companies profiting off of occupation). In the past, much work has been with the Brown Immigrant Rights Coalition, but now looking towards expansion and have partnered more recently with groups like Brown Divest Coal.
What we need: Would love to collaborate and hear general ideas. A lot of people’s reasoning for lack of greater involvement oftentimes takes the form of someone saying they “don’t have enough personal connection” to the issue. Hope to illuminate just how passion does not need to be so personally-inspired, and one reason for passion is that it’s related to a myriad of global issues. Want to help spread word that, to some extent, everyone is personally touched by this.
Brown ACLU
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Focus on issues dealing with civil liberties violations (ex: free speech, privacy, due process, cruel and unusual punishment, etc).
What we are currently working on: Police misconduct project in PVD area
What we would like: To hear from people who could help, or people/organizations that have other projects that fall under civil rights/liberties umbrella.
Brown Conversation
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Community of individuals who have conversations and dialogues that provoke critical introspection, typically every week.
What we need: Spread awareness about what is up next on the agenda so that as many as possible attend. The event is Re-Orientation, a 3-day intensive experience before the start of spring semester for freshmen and sophomores to re-evaluate undergrad experience so far.
Trans* Page/Gender Action/Queer Alliance
Contact: [email protected]
Different groups, but all represented last night by: [email protected]
QA: Student group for queer/questioning students on campus
Gender Action and Trans* Page: Address policy changes and advocacy for trans students (Some examples include gender neutral housing and email address changes, just to name a few.) There is an upcoming project on deck with a petition that will be soon circulated.
What we need: Because Gender Action specifically is such a small group, there is a limit to how many networks they can reach, so it would be very helpful for allies to spread petitions, especially, to their various circles.
Student Language Exchange
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Bring underrepresented languages to campus – filling in linguistic gaps within course-offerings. Consider this group social justice oriented because a key component of community work is being able to communicate with people and have more equal relationships. We can offer cultural exposure and validation, especially for international students.
What we need from others: A desire to learn non-European languages, interest in reaching out to SLE as a resource, and energy!
Change Magazine
Website: Change-Magazine.org
What we are: Brand new magazine on campus that already has branches at 9 other campuses. The publication focuses on grassroots social action, specifically what groups on campus are doing, what folks are doing in the Providence community, and what types of things students are doing during their summers.
What we need: Writers! People can function as guest writers or have a more formal role on the writing staff, but a desire to share stories and quests for change are much needed.
Student Labor Alliance
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Stand in solidarity with workers on campus and around the world. As students, we have a position where we can help change the status quo by putting pressure on various decision-makers, ranging from Brown administrators to multinational corporations. Past campaigns have included supporting Brown campus workers during contract negotiations with the university, and working to end sweatshop conditions in hotels, fields and factories by supporting worker organizing.
What we need: Currently in the midst of a BDS support campaign and need more people to sign this petition:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1blVB9XonTz3WUXm2qx3vu2WYbTRnBcSOgDedrt_BhPs/viewform
D’Abate After-school Program Through Swearer Center
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Brown volunteers teaching afterschool clubs everyday of the week in a variety of subjects at William D’Abate Elementary School in the Olneyville neighborhood. Currently looking for more volunteers.
Challenges/What we need: The volunteer population is often vastly different from student population and we are looking for ideas on how to bridge that cultural gap. Very open to hearing from various people and organizations about ideas for training, cultural sensitivity workshops, etc.
Student Advisory Committee for the Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Pushing the mission of the Center and engage the Brown community in the work the Center does. In order to engage students in what the Center does, we want to work and collaborate with student organizations with missions that revolve around human rights issues, and spread the mission. In addition, we want to make the center available as a resource as well, and some projects even include creating a space for the student research of historical and modern forms of slavery and human bondage. There are internships and research money available for students looking into these topics, as well as the intersection of historical slavery and modern-day fights for justice. A main focus is to educate about the “Report on Slavery and Justice” not only to increase general awareness, but also to push for some of its recommendations which relate a lot to modern-day injustices on campus. This is especially important under President Paxson’s new administration.
What we need: For people to spread knowledge about this mission and perhaps engage in some of the aforementioned ways.
BOLT
[email protected]
What we do: The Brown Outdoor Leadership Training (BOLT) program aims to foster the personal exploration and practice of leadership and create a community of support for sophomore and new transfer students. The program begins with a 5-day hiking trip before the fall semester and builds on this shared experience with more events back on campus.
What we can offer: Community building, training, and leadership workshops. Also, we create access to outdoors and outdoor experiences for all people.
What we need: Input/advice about how to make the program more accessible to people of all backgrounds, regardless of experiences. Also, currently there is a struggle to fill the leadership ranks with people of diverse backgrounds. We encourage more people to apply and spread the word, in the hopes that the organization itself becomes more diverse. Information about applying is located at http://brown.edu/Student_Services/BOLT/apply/aboutleaderapp.html. Part 1 of the application is due by December 7 and only takes a minute!
Brown Human Rights Report
Website: Brownhumanrightsreport.org
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Founded as a forum for student groups doing all this type of social justice work that seeks to educate the Brown campus and a greater global audience. For this reason, human rights is defined very broadly within this publication. All types of issues, from international to local, seek to be represented.
What we can offer: A space for groups to share their missions in a published format.
What we need: Looking to partner with other groups, and receive written pieces for publication. Email Cam at the above address for further information about submissions.
PrYSM
Contact: [email protected]
What we do: Stands for Providence Youth Student Movement, we are a group focused on working with the Southeast Asian community in particular on issues revolving around racial and queer justice. A lot of current work is dedicated to trying to fight homophobia within communities and working with other organizations like DARE and the Olneyville Neighborhood Association to stop racial profiling (working towards passing a bill that has been held up lately).
What we need: Attendees at fundraising dinner at brown this weekend celebrating 12th anniversary; representatives from various organizations could network here with different Providence organizations and spread our impact further. Tickets are $30 for those interested in attending.
Brown Divest Coal
Informally represented by: [email protected]
What we do: Despite The Corporation’s recent decision to not divest from 15 companies complicit with coal usage, the battle is not over. Recently, Divest Coal has teamed up with other organizations based on the idea of collective liberation.
What we need: To continue building various coalitions to strengthen goal. Considering this is such an interconnected struggle, we are open to working with various student justice groups and want to see a collective future.
Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE)
340 Lockwood Street Providence, RI
What we do: Some examples of past DARE projects - had the policy that sought to shackle pregnant inmates to hospital beds when in labor removed, restored the voting rights of formally incarcerated persons, and led the charge so that, as of January 1st, the box on job applications asking if people have ever been committed of a crime will be removed. With a board of directors comprised totally of DARE members/people from the community, the people making strategic planning decisions are people who are directly affected by the policies.
What we need: There are constantly meetings and projects that upcoming students could come to.
Individuals who spoke
Alex
Contact: [email protected]
Looking for people who want to work on greater outreach to general Providence community, which could take the form of such things as: 1) advertising for events that are open to the public so that people not formally affiliated with Brown actually know the resources in their communities and attend, 2) recruiting people of color to act as interpreters and form a sort of “interpreters collective” to better represent the people within the community, and 3) bridge the divide between Brown and other Providence universities in the hopes of more effectively engaging with the greater Providence community in general. Much of this could be begun by the creation of a listserv or some sort of newsletter that reaches people outside of the Brown community to share information about Brown-affiliated events.
Jenny Li
Contact: [email protected]
Upcoming event on December 4, from 5-6:30pm in Barus and Holley 168 – “Teach-In on Student Activism (Then and Now).” Faculty will speak on the history of student activism at Brown – Come and bring friends!