Yesterday morning, Wednesday Sept. 30, EMU’s Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (CODI) sponsored the first of four Readings on Racism sessions.
The goal of these events as expressed by Celeste Thomas, one of the main hosts, is “to provide a space for people to talk about racism in a supportive…learning environment that will also challenge them.” The need for this type of space was expressed after faculty and staff attended diversity training seminars during the summer and decided that they wanted a place to discuss these issues more.
This session was guest hosted by David Evans, EMU seminary professor and the author of the article, “Only the Right Questions Have Answers.” David Evans’ work addresses the misconception that forming individual relationships is enough to solve the inequalities that institutionalized systemic racism has caused for Black communities. He asks that white people, specifically White Christians, ask themselves three questions: 1) “How have we benefited from the racial status quo in America?” 2) “What structures have we intentionally, or unintentionally, created to uphold racial power inequities?” 3) “What actions could we take to make restitution?” The conversation revolved around these questions, especially in relation to EMU as an institution. David Evans shared, “I get discouraged by the lack of people of color in faculty staff and administration at this institution. In my study of history, I’ve found that white people have refused to allow themselves to be led by black people.”
He gave an example of his studies of white Christian leaders from the 1930s-50s, stating, “I’ve found that white people propose what the racial problem is and how to solve it totally separate from Black leadership…They attempt to solve racism as individuals [instead of] as communities.” For EMU to move forward from this history, David Evans said, “we need more than one individual BIPOC here and there, we need Black, LGBTQ, Asian, Latinx communities from which ideas can emerge and be supported throughout our institution.”
This sentiment was echoed by Kathy Evans, CODI co-chair and Education faculty. Institutionally, she said, “EMU has set…a priority to hire more personnel who represent underrepresented identities. So, it is up to us to live into that goal. This means we have to do our work to ensure that this goal is prioritized and achievable.”
In addition to this, David Evans urged individuals in the session to look into what they can do on an individual level to educate themselves about institutionalized systemic racism. Suggestions included joining the NAACP, reading articles and books by a variety of Black leaders, or even watching YouTube videos on the subject.
Readings on Racism sessions will occur once a month, with future sessions on October 21, November 11, and December 2. The October session will be hosted by leaders of the Black Student Alliance, during which they will discuss an article that will be shared with the campus through an email from campus pastor Brian Martin Burkholder. Access to the Zoom meeting can be found through the EMU events calendar on my.emu.edu.
