On Tuesday March 2, the college hosted a Diversity Summit with the theme of "Creating an Antiracist Community." The summit consisted of about 25 different sessions offering up different platforms to discuss and learn about various topics, from racism in standard English to hair and its role within different minority groups.
Since the Summit was held on one of the college's Rejuvenation Days, students had all-day opportunities to attend dialogues, speeches and informative sessions centered on how Geneseo can cultivate an antiracist community.
One of the Summit's most anticipated features was a keynote speech given by Geneseo alumna Qurrat Ann Kadwani. Kadwani, an award-winning actress, director and playwright. She reflected on her experiences with diversity and acting at Geneseo.
"They had never gone to school with a person of color," Kadwani said, describing her former classmates. "I tried to show the mostly white student body that there were different perspectives. The theater could truly be used to broaden your mind."
Kadwani also spoke to her experiences in the acting field in general, and how those experiences translated into her career as a playwright and director.
"I love that the script can make you discuss issues in the world and create change. I love that this art gives me a voice," Kadwani said. "I now understand tangibly that we all have a voice and ability to move others and to create positive change no matter what field we are in."
Beyond the keynote speech, students and faculty had the opportunity to spend the day watching and participating in Zoom-led sessions for the purpose of creating an antiracist community. These sessions provided a space for students and faculty to learn about the different ways in which this goal can be achieved, and for participants to talk about their personal experiences.
This opportunity offered a unique chance to discuss how student and faculty experiences with oppression have intersected with the COVID-19 pandemic. In a roundtable session discussing lessons learned during the pandemic, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Coordinator of the Women and Gender Studies department Amanda Roth stated how issues of inequality are escalated now.
"Every inequality that already exists is now on steroids because of the pandemic,” Roth said.
Discussions such as these allowed staff and faculty to share the intersections of their experiences teaching and evaluating societal structures and inequalities throughout the pandemic. Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations Hanna Brant compared two social constructions.
"Like gender, due dates are social constructions,” Brant said.
These discussions also created a space where students could openly and honestly discuss their personal experiences with oppression.
Students shared their frustrations with the current state of Geneseo's policies regarding diversity and opportunities for minority students.
"Here at Geneseo, there are not enough resources for BIPOC students," psychology major senior Xiara Colon said.
Students expressed themselves and also learned about topics relating to perspectives outside of their own.
"Providing a space for people to speak about their experiences with oppression and other aspects of their lives is extremely important and helps improve community dynamics," Spanish major freshman Grace Pearse said.
Students and faculty alike had a space to express their experiences overcoming adversity and had the chance to learn more about the experiences of others.