Virtual Vigil, Webinar on Coping with Stress and Observance of UA’s Desegregation Among Diversity Events Planned for June
The UA Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has planned events for the month of June to help the campus and larger community address issues associated with racialized violence, observe a significant event in the University’s history, and discuss health disparities related to COVID-19.
Virtual Vigil: Remembrance of Black Lives Lost Due to Racialized Violence
Events begin with a virtual vigil in remembrance of black lives lost due to racialized violence Thursday, June 4, at 6 p.m.
“We want to acknowledge as a community what has happened, promote healing and identify what we can do in our community and on a personal level to effect change,” said Dr. G. Christine Taylor, vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at UA.
The vigil is open to the public and can be accessed via Zoom here: https://uasystem.zoom.us/j/95901360749.
Pre-Coping: Surviving and Thriving in a Time of Uncertainty
As a follow-up to the vigil, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will continue its series Come Sit at My Table with a campus conversation Friday, June 5, at 1 p.m. Titled “Pre-Coping: Surviving and Thriving in a Time of Uncertainty,” the Zoom session will feature Dr. Martha Crowther, associate dean for Research and Health Policy at UA, and Jennifer Turner, coordinator of clinical services and a licensed professional counselor in the UA Counseling Center. Dr. Crowther is also a professor and licensed clinical psychologist in Community Medicine and Population Health/Family, Internal and Rural Medicine, and investigator, Institute for Rural Health Research. Connect to the event via Zoom at https://uasystem.zoom.us/j/91387841973.
How To Be a Good Ally
Dr. Mary Adams Trujillo, a conflict transformation strategist who offers consultation and coaching for individual, organizational and community transformation, will present “How to be a Good Ally.” She is a professor emerita of communication arts and conflict transformation at North Park University and serves as a lecturer in spiritual formation at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. The Zoom webinar will be Tuesday, June 9, at 1 p.m. via Zoom at https://uasystem.zoom.us/j/99962827274.
Reflections on the Stand
The University will observe Thursday, June 11, the date Vivian Malone and James Hood desegregated UA, with a webinar titled “Reflections on the Stand.” Dr. Taylor will have a conversation with Dr. E. Culpepper Clark, author of “The Schoolhouse Door: Segregation’s Last Stand at the University of Alabama” and a former dean at UA, and Dr. Arthur Dunning, a UA alumnus and former president of Albany State University. They will discuss the events of that day and Dunning, a three-time UA graduate who entered UA in 1966 as one of very few African-American students on campus, will talk about his experiences as a student. Join us via Zoom at https://uasystem.zoom.us/j/99422226713.
A Pandemic in Our Communities—Health Disparities, Health Inequalities and Possible Solutions
The Southeastern Conference Chief Diversity Officers will offer a webinar titled “A Pandemic in Our Communities—Health Disparities, Health Inequities and Possible Solutions” June 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. Four panels composed of medical and public health experts will be joined by community leaders to discuss the unique challenges of health disparities and health inequities resident in their communities and offer examples of plans and solutions. During the panel event questions from the chat room will be brought into the discussion. Information on how to participate will be announced later.
Free Showing of “Just Mercy”
In addition to events being hosted by UA, Warner Bros. will provide a free showing of “Just Mercy” on digital platforms such as Amazon and iTunes throughout June in response to the death of George Floyd and systemic racism in America. The 2019 legal drama focuses on the work of civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative.
NEXT MONTH
Common Book Read: “White Fragility”
In July, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will host a common read of the book “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo. More information about an online discussion of the book will be forthcoming.
“By hosting and sharing these events, we want to move to the next level of awareness and understanding in order to empower community members to be greater change agents for social justice. We have to know the truth, understand and see the truth and then begin to develop responses to those truths that create a more just and equitable campus, community and nation,” said Dr. Taylor.
For more information about these events and other resources, contact the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at diversity@ua.edu.