Local YWCA, ISU join forces to promote diversity, counter sexism

Posted on November 7, 2017

 

diversity conference
Attendees register for what organizers say is a Culturally Responsive Campus Community Conference at Illinois State University’s Bone Student Center. YWCA McLean County and ISU are hosting the two-day event. (Photo courtesy WMBD-TV)

By Howard Packowitz and WMBD-TV

NORMAL – A local group is partnering with Illinois State University to empower women and combat racism.

YWCA McLean County usually hosts a humanity summit, but this year, the organization joined with ISU to hold what they call a Culturally Responsive Campus Community Conference.

Organizer Stacey Hardin told our news partner WMBD-TV that the goal was to bring together the community and ISU to confront racism and sexism, and to promote diversity.

“When we think about diversity in the classroom, and when you have people from different backgrounds, and we talk about these differences, it brings different perspectives. So your conversations, your discussions in the classroom are going to be a lot more robust,” said Hardin.

“When we’re not aware of the diversity that we have amongst us, then we’re kind of overlooking some really rich stuff that could happen in the classroom,” Hardin also said.

The two-day conference at ISU ends Tuesday.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…