The WWU Community Dialogue Series Presents: Talkin’ Race

Western Washington University students, faculty, staff and Whatcom County community members are invited to a campus-wide dialogue about Race on Monday, March 5, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Viking Union 565.

The winter conversation, "Talkin’ Race" is a continuation of the ongoing dialogue series and all are welcome. It is the third year in a row that Western’s Faculty Senate Social Justice and Equity Committee will sponsor a vital conversation about racial difference on campus.

Participants are asked to register in advance by completing the form on Survey Monkey at this address: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W32YDRM

Parking for the event will be free for community members who sign up for the event ahead of time.

The format will follow the last year’s well-received program, said Tim Costello, Director of the Center for Service Learning. “Participants will meet in small groups to respectfully explore our differences in order to promote greater understanding,” Costello said.

A diverse team of facilitators from the student body, staff, faculty, and the community will guide the small groups.

One participant reflected on the dialogue stating, “It was great hearing multiple perspectives because mine is limited. It allowed me to see what is universal, and other patterns that are either healthy or problematic.”

“Participating in the campus-wide dialogue about race was highly rewarding. I’m new to conversations like these and the chance to sit down for meaningful, challenging talks with a group of strangers was a transformative experience,” said Kessa Volland, a marketing and media coordinator for the Office of Communications and Marketing at WWU.

Various professional multicultural educators and experts in the field have provided training for the Campus Wide Dialogue facilitators. Western’s Social Justice and Equity Committee has supported this effort.

“More conversations are needed! I could hear shifts in understanding in others (and me) throughout the dialogue,” wrote a participant from last quarter’s dialogue exit survey.

The WWU community made a commitment to diversity and inclusion under the direction of former President Bruce Shepard, a mandate that current President Sabah Randhawa plans to continue.

For more information, contact: Tim Costello, Director of the Center for Service Learning at Timothy.Costello@wwu.edu