Strengthening Our Community Amid Conflict

OIED Spring 2024 Programming

OIED Spring 2024 Programming

This is an archived website

This website has been archived and is no longer being updated. In the 2023-24 Academic Year, Brown created this site to announce the launch of a series of concrete actions to enhance efforts to create an environment for our community that is free of discrimination and harassment, and to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws related to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. These changes came as Brown and campuses across the country experienced a rise in reported incidents of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian and anti-Israeli discrimination, and built upon existing efforts to confront all forms of racism and discrimination. The initiatives have since become embedded in the regular operations of Brown, and the University’s ongoing commitment to these efforts is reflected on websites hosted by the departments stewarding this work in partnership with offices across campus.

The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED) serves as a critical leader, resource and support in sponsoring programs and events related to diversity and inclusion at Brown. In this moment of intense geopolitical conflict, Brown is not immune to contentious discussions around Israeli-Palestinian issues, which campuses and communities are wrestling with across the nation and the globe.

During the Spring 2024 semester, a series of programming will engage the campus community in learning about antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian and anti-Israeli discrimination, and all forms of racism. As the events in the Middle East bring to the forefront deeply held and often conflicting views, OIED is working to emphasize the importance of mutual understanding and respect. 

Since its inception, OIED has worked to bring awareness of bias, discrimination and harassment through programs, including speakers, workshops and the annual Global Day of Inclusion. Each program is tailored to the exploration of new concepts, capacity-building through courageous conversations, and creating spaces of engagement that further the diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging discourse.

The audience group in parentheses indicates the intended participants.

Combating Antisemitism

(All Community) – February 2024

Format

Two 60-minute sessions offered in-person and hybrid both by request and at regular intervals open to staff and students.

Purpose

To provide an understanding of both the current and antecedents to antisemitism’s rise on college and university campuses and across the nation. Participants will learn about strategies to both recognize and combat antisemitism and anti-Israeli discrimination when experienced or witnessed. Additionally, the workshop will equip participants with definitions and language to establish shared knowledge.

  • Establish a common language around the complexity of Jewish identity (e.g., cultural vs. religious vs. racial) and where/how they intersect.
  • Establish a common language around Jewish identity and antisemitism.
  • Operationally define key concepts related to issues of power, privilege and socialization as well as those related to discrimination and identity.
  • Build an understanding of the structural roots of antisemitism impact.
  • Unpack dominant narratives around Jewish identity.
  • Develop skills to speak out and act against antisemitism.
  • Identify the importance of becoming actively committed to combating antisemitism on an individual and collective level.

Combating Islamophobia and anti-Arab Discrimination

(All Community) – February 2024

Format

Two 60-minute sessions offered in-person and hybrid both by request and at regular intervals open to faculty, staff and students.

Purpose

To offer skill-building opportunities to help participants develop an understanding of Islamophobia and anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian discrimination by providing baseline information and data (utilizing internal and external content experts). The workshop will also equip participants with definitions and language to establish shared knowledge.

  • Establish a common language around the complexities of Muslim and Arab identities (e.g., cultural vs. religious vs. racial) and where/how they intersect.
  • Operationally define key concepts related to issues of power, privilege and socialization as well as those related to discrimination and identity.
  • Build an understanding of the structural roots of Islamophobia and anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian discrimination and their impact.
  • Unpack dominant narratives around Muslims and Islamic identity.
  • Develop skills to speak out and act against Islamophobia and Anti-Arab racism.
  • Identify the importance of becoming actively committed to combating Islamophobia and anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian discrimination on an individual and collective level.

Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture

(All Community) – Thursday, February 15, 2024

The annual lecture celebrates the life and legacy of civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s lecture, titled “Reimagining a New American Democracy,” will feature Sherrilyn Ifill, a civil rights lawyer and former president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Registration is required.

Register for the Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture

Global Day of Inclusion

(Staff) – Tuesday, March 26, 2024

The annual Global Day of Inclusion will feature the American Jewish Committee (AJC). The keynote speakers are Sarah Coodin, AJC Director of Academic Affairs, and Laura Shaw-Frank, AJC Director, William Petschek Contemporary Jewish Life.

Bridges to Understanding Lunches

(Students) – Fridays, February 16 to April 19, 2024

In collaboration with the Taubman Center for American Politics and Policy, OIED will hold lunches at Maddock Alumni Center to provide students with opportunities to explore new concepts, build capacity through courageous conversations and create a shared space that focuses on community-building. Registration will be required.

Register for the Bridges to Understanding Lunches

Curricular Framework for DEI Learning

Scheduled on request, Spring 2024 and beyond 

OIED offers a five-module series of facilitated and dialogue-based programs that aim to assist members of the Brown community in cultivating spaces for critical conversations about issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Brown offices and departments should contact OIED to schedule. Topics covered during these sessions include social identity development, power and privilege, microaggressions, cultivating spaces for critical conversations on DEI and equity frameworks. 

  • Module I: Peering into the Periphery: Cultivating Critical Consciousness of Self and Others
  • Module II: Exploring the Self: How Social Identity Development Informs Perspective
  • Module III: Cultivating Capacity: Developing Schema, Vocabulary, & Conceptual Frameworks
  • Module IV: Cultivating Spaces for Critical Conversations about Issues of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Module V: Fairness as a Framework: Towards a Deeper Conception of Equity Literacy