#ThisIsNativeAmerica: Land Grant or Land Grab
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 | 6:30 p.m. ET
Zoom Webinar
In 1893, the University of Connecticut became Connecticut’s Land Grant college. This land spans 12 states originally stewarded by Indigenous tribes. Our history is intertwined in the violent dispossession of Native and Indigenous peoples across Native America. Join us to understand the long-standing history and experiences of Native and Indigenous peoples at UConn and seek to understand your place in that history which has disproportionately benefited white citizens.
The panel will include Sandy Grande, Professor of Political Science and Native American and Indigenous Studies at UConn, Chris Newell '14 (CCS), Co-Founder and Director of Education for the Akomawt Educational Initiative, and a researcher from Land Grab CT.
The Seen and Unseen Realities for People with Disabilities
Thursday, November 18, 2021 | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. ET
Zoom Webinar
Disabilities don’t discriminate. A disability does not care about your age, gender, race, or social status. Disabilities can be physical or mental impairments, or both.
The Americans with Disabilities Act passed more than 30 years ago. How has America grown since then? What have been the positive and negative impacts on the lives of people with disabilities? Join us for an in-depth discussion on how the disability rights movement is seeking to secure equal opportunities and equal rights for all people with disabilities.
Critical Race Theory in Schools
Wednesday, September 29, 2021 | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET via Zoom Webinar
Critical Race Theory is a body of legal scholarship and an academic movement of US civil-rights scholars and activists who seek to critically examine the intersection of race and U.S. law and to challenge mainstream American liberal approaches to racial justice. It examines social, cultural, and legal issues primarily as they relate to race and racism in the US. Typically it is only taught in law school, however, the debate over whether it should be taught in primary schools has recently ravaged the nation. Join us for an engaging discussion on whether children should be taught the history of systemic racism and white supremacy in schools.
Representation Matters with Project Happyvism
Saturday, March 27, 2021 | 10:30 AM- 12:00 PM EST via Zoom Webinar
Children’s early experiences shape what they imagine to be possible for people who look like them, live near them, or come from where they come from. Children determine what they can be by the representation that they see around them. Join us for an interactive storytelling session led by activist, educator, DJ, poet and co-founder of Project Happyvism, Justis Lopez ’14 ’15 (ED) along with co-founder Ryan Parker and publisher Dr. Melissa-Sue-John. Creators of Project Happyvism will lead the workshop for adults and children on how to have important conversations around representation, loving our identities, and why choosing joy and self-love are powerful forms of activism.
This is a family friendly program and we encourage you to bring the children in your life!
This program was not recorded.
MEET OUR FACILITATORS
Exploring the History of Racism at UConn
January 19, 2021 | 1:00-2:15 PM EST via Zoom Webinar
Led by UConn Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Franklin Tuitt, join us for a community discussion about the student-of-color experience at UConn. Before UConn Nation can positively impact society, we must first examine the true history and experiences of our community. Panelists will unpack the history of racism and student protest from 1970s to present day.
Meet Our Panelists
Gallery Credit: University Photograph Collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Connecticut Library. Images are from the student protest held at Wilbur Cross Library on April 22-23, 1974.
December 1, 2020
1:00-2:15 PM EST via Zoom Webinar
#ThisIsAmerica: Alumni & Activism
In the next installment of our #ThisIsAmerica social justice series we'll focus on civil rights and criminal justice reform. Leading this discussion are UConn Alumni, who are CJR champions and work tirelessly to bring light to and enact change on the issues and challenges within our communities. They are on the front lines of this movement, having difficult conversations and working to shift the dynamics and empower a positive trajectory for our country. Join us for this important dialogue as they discuss education reform as it relates to criminal justice, police accountability, voting, the crime victim's role in criminal justice reform and much more.
Meet Our Panelists
September 24, 2020
1:00-2:15 PM EST via Zoom Webinar
#ThisIsAmerica: Social Disparities Facing Marginalized Communities
It's no secret that social disparities are prevalent in marginalized communities. The current climate of racism, white supremacy, anger, fear and divisiveness in America is having significant impact on many children and adults. Join us for the inaugural installment of our #ThisIsAmerica social justice series for a stimulating discussion as we learn about and analyze systems of oppression that affect minority communities. Topics covered range from how students of color living in poverty are supported by their community, the mental health disparities among minority communities and racial profiling of African Americans during COVID-19 to the issues of obesity and food insecurity among minority communities, especially for African American women, and the ways racial equity supports nutritional health.
Meet Our Panelists
Sponsors
UConn Alumni
UConn College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
National Association for the Advancement of Black People (NAACP) - UConn Chapter
UConn Office of Diversity & Inclusion
UConn Puerto Rican / Latin American Cultural Center
UConn School of Social Work
UConn Women's Center
Questions & Additional Information
If you have questions or require additional information for any of these three events, please contact Abigail G. Jackson, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations via email.
All Zoom information would be provided upon registration.
These events may be recorded for UConn and UConn Foundation promotional materials.
