Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
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| Dear Community,
How do we remain committed to social justice when humanity and democracy are attacked daily by systems of oppression and white supremacist ideologies stoke fear through violence, intimidation, othering, and aggression? Often, we respond with statements of sorrow and grief, which comfort and desensitize us, enabling us to see violent events as isolated and disparate. However, I choose community, and the urgency is now to ACTT (Accountability, Community, Trust, and Transparency).
Deep in my soul, I feel the historical echoes of domestic terror and trauma as I witness so many individuals and communities suffering in silence. We struggle to make sense of acts of all forms of oppression and racism. We refrain from acknowledging and naming injustice and racial trauma that operates in society and lives in the mind, body, and soul to make others feel comfortable. We must push beyond the illusion of inclusion, which hides the lack of respect for human life, normalizes hate, and fails to honor all the lives lost and communities suffering immeasurable anguish and pain.
Silver, we have more work to do in our communities. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is committed to providing a trauma-free space and resources to collaborate, support, and seek the liberation to live, learn, work, and love without fear associated with privilege and power that normalizes white supremacy. I asked our Silver community for guidance, and I hope the resources provided in this newsletter inspire affirmative action that honors the worth and dignity of marginalized communities. Silver, we have the responsibility to combat racism and the capacity of love to restore community.
"This may well be mankind’s last chance to choose between chaos and community." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.(1968)
Sincerely,
Richeleen Dashield
Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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| AccountabilityHow are we holding each other accountable for antiracism?
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Black Love Resists in the Rust
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| Black Love Resists in the Rust is a member-led, abolitionist organization committed to addressing the harms of white supremacy in Buffalo and creating spaces for Black people and other people of color to heal. Right now they’re raising funds for mental health support for those impacted.
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Many Voices, One Mission: Addressing Implicit Bias and Racism in Social Work
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| Friday, June 17, 2022 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Join the Michigan NASW for their virtual conference, Many Voices, One Mission: Addressing Implicit Bias and Racism in Social Work. This conference will explore critical racial and social justice conversations in the field and provide direct ways for social workers to take action in their practices and communities. The conference will close with a virtual Advocacy and Resource Fair. This course is approved for 6.5 CE credits through the Michigan Continuing Education Collaborative.
NASW Members - $80Future-Members - $100
NASW Student Members, Retired Members, and Transitional Members - $30
Student Future-Members - $45
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Extremism in America
Although politicians and government agencies are recognizing the threat of domestic terrorism fueled by a racist narrative, the problem of racial violence has roots in the very founding of the United States. Extremism in America, a five-part series from PBS as part of WNET’s Exploring Hate: Antisemitism, Racism and Extremism initiative explores the history of White nationalism and the escalation of extremist attacks in this country.
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| CommunityHow are we creating an environment for healing and working together? Are we resisting isolation and allowing ourselves to be seen?
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A Message from Adjunct Lecturer and Wellness Counselor, Dr. Tiffany Llewellyn
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| This week we are once again in the place of finding words in hopes of supporting you–our students, and ourselves through another horrifying racial act of violence. This balance is difficult and challenging, and the reality is there are no words that can erase, eradicate, or soothe the very real emotions that accompany racial battle fatigue. I imagine you may be feeling tired, sad, scared, or hopeless... or others of you may be feeling activated, angry, frustrated, and overwhelmed. I want you to know all feelings are welcomed, validated, and justified.
I will not pretend to be in a space you are not, racism connects us in this shared, communal, traumatic experience. I invite you, as I invite myself, to allow and embrace whatever emotions racism evokes. Give yourself grace and your body space to find regulation, this may take time. Inhale. Exhale. I encourage you at this moment to let yourself be human, in a moment that seeks to dehumanize, centering yourself, your family, your friends and your community is how we humanize ourselves and each other. I see you. Today, I hope that you wear your human hat before your social work one, care is for you, FIRST. Rest and existence are both a right and an act of resistance. Wherever you are, whatever you do, however you cope, we resist hatred in every form. Breathe deeply, Feel truthful, and Exist unapologetically. Take what you need and if you may not know what that is, we are here to help you figure it out, together.
– Dr. Tiffany Llewellyn, Adjunct Lecturer
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Strength After - Narratives of Survival
Strength After is a project by Vibrant Emotional Health for the Disaster Distress Helpline that provides a platform for survivors of natural disasters and mass tragedies to submit their stories. The project is currently welcoming narratives from survivors, relief aid providers, loved ones, and caregivers about their experiences surrounding calamity. The project serves as a reminder of the resilience of individuals and communities and that no one has to suffer alone.
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Fruit Belt Community Land Trust
The Fruit Belt Community Land Trust is committed to acquiring local property in Buffalo’s Fruit Belt neighborhood and selling it at low cost to residents, creating community spaces, and building accessible commercial spaces. Currently, they are committing funds to cover three months' rent for victims of the Tops Market shooting.
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Rooted in Love
Rooted in Love is a nonprofit organization that supports those unhoused and disadvantaged within the Western New York Area and is raising funds to provide fresh produce, nonperishable foods, and hygiene products to those impacted by the Tops Market shooting.
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| TrustHow are we following through on our responsibility to antiracism? What actions are we taking to ensure all members of the Silver community are protected against bias?
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A Message From Silver Adjunct Lecturer, Terrence Coffie
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For the past few weeks, I have led conversations on race relations in America based on James Baldwin's literary work The Fire Next Time. The tragic shooting that occurred in Buffalo, N Y by a proclaimed white supremicist that targeted an African American community and left 10 people dead in a hate-fueled shooting attests to the on-going racial tensions of America. Violence against Black people in this country is as common as turning on our televisions. In each generation we have to experience the haunting ritual of a Black community grieving over the loss of a loved one either at the hands of a lynch mob, the police or this type of tragic shooting, and sadly this and every other atrocity that has occured in American history is a reminder of America's unresolved issue of race, and the seething hatred that still exists in America. To my brothers and sisters in Buffalo, as well as to those across this country, I remind you of Mr. Baldwin's words, “Please try to remember that what they believe, as well as what they do and cause you to endure does not testify to your inferiority but to their inhumanity.” And to America, I have shared this point of Mr. Baldwin's writing as the crux of my entire Reading and Discussion series, as a testament to the future of America: "If we—and now I mean the relatively conscious whites and the relatively conscious blacks who must, like lovers, insist on, or create, the consciousness of others—do not falter in our duty now, we may be able, handful that we are, to end the racial nightmare, and achieve our country, and change the history of the world”.
–Terrence Coffie, Adjunct Lecturer
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Social Work Educators’ Adaptive Leadership SymposiumJune 27 - July 1
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This symposium designed in part by Dr. Linda Lausell Bryant is for social work educators to learn the adaptive leadership framework and teaching pedagogies that will inspire students to take the lead on today’s societal challenges. Participants must be full-time or adjunct faculty members at a graduate social work program or other aligned professional school. This symposium is NYSED and ASWB/ACE approved for 26 Continuing Education Contact Hours. All participants must commit to attend the first four days of the symposium to qualify for the CE credit. You can forward questions about this event to silver.continuingeducation@nyu.edu.
Cost: $100 with discounts for multiple faculty from the same school.
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| TransparencyHow, when, and to whom are we communicating important information? Are we only communicating when it is easy or also when it is not?
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Where to Get Support After a Mass TragedyAlthough survivors bear the burden of mass tragedies such as the recent shooting in Buffalo, NY and others in various cities, witnesses locally and elsewhere do not escape unscathed. The continual stress on individuals can lead to mental health deterioration and substance abuse. The S ubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services provides resources and a Disaster Distress Helpline for those experiencing mental and emotional distress related to natural and human-made tragedies.
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Operationalizing Critical Race Theory in Practice
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Portland Community College has adopted a strategic plan that seeks to encourage the use of Critical Race Theory as an integral part of its decision-making practices and policies that centers the needs of the students and communities. Explore the CRT Take “5” Toolkit, which builds accountability into their practices and relationships in order to build a more inclusive community by addressing racism, power, and privilege.
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The National Security Implications of Anti-Asian Racism
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In celebration of Asian and Pacific American Islanders Month, the Brookings Institution hosted a critical webinar with distinguished panelists to examine the ramifications of the surge in anti-AAPI hate crimes, consider how racism damages America's international position, and propose solutions to stop these dangerous acts that threaten our safety and security.
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How Systemic Racism Shaped George Floyd’s Life
The murder of George Floyd at the hands of police officer Derek Chauvin had a monumental impact on Black Americans and others and brought to light the harsh realities of deep systemic issues that continue to plague the lives of Blacks living in the United States. May 25 marks the second anniversary of the murder of George Floyd. Reporters for the Washington Post, Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa, discuss with NPR’s Fresh Air their book, His Name Is George Floyd, an examination of the life of George Floyd and the impacts of ongoing institutional racism.
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Tim Wise on White Privilege: Racism, White Denial, and the Cost of InequityIn educator and activist Tim Wise’s 2008 lecture, Racism, White Denial, and the Cost of Inequity, he comprehensively breaks down White privilege. He also makes the case on how, though racism’s primary targets are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, White people are damaged in upholding the systems created by White supremacy. Wise also designed a study guide to complement this lecture and assist educators and students in navigating the information presented.
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BIPOC/AAPI Mental Health Resources
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the largest grassroots mental health organization that improves and builds better lives for Americans affected by mental illness. While NAMI offers a range of programs across various states and cities, its New Hampshire chapter has created a treatment directory of resources that specifically meet the needs of the BIPOC/AAPI Community. The resources include but are not limited to mental Health Resources and articles on self-care and wellness for individuals who identify as BIPOC/AAPI.
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Bridging the Gap:A Symposium on Disaster Behavioral Health Access for AllJune 9 & 10
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Bridging the Gap: A Symposium on Disaster Behavioral Health Access for All is a virtual event hosted by The Crisis Emotional Care Team (CETC). CETC provides support and care for those experiencing acute and long-term recovery phases of a natural or human-caused disaster or crisis. The symposium will feature key learnings and advice on best practices for including marginalized and underrepresented communities in behavioral health care response during and following the aftermath of disasters and crises. Check out the program for the symposium here for additional information and registration.
General Admission: $35
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Social Equity Leadership Conference
Promoting Leadership for Democracy and Social Equity
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June 8-10, 2022 Cost: Free
The National Academy of Public Administration in partnership with The University of San Francisco School of Business is hosting the Social Equity Leadership Conference 2022 under the theme of Promoting Leadership for Democracy and Social Equity. Conference panels will be covering topics such as advancing democracy for historically marginalized communities, DEI pedagogy in public service, and disability advocacy among other equity themes.
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INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine
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First row (left to right): Richeleen Dashield (Director, Office of DEI), Liz Galimore (Administrative Aide II), Sharifa Amin (Social Work Intern)
Second row (left to right): Aadya Bhatia (Silver Climate Peer Advocate), Gerri Connaught (Silver Climate Peer Advocate), Lilia Vidal (Social Work Intern)
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| Share Antiracism Resources!If you have antiracism resources you would like to share for the next edition of the newsletter we have limited spots available. Please email silver.DEI@nyu.edu with the subject "DEI Newsletter Submission."
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