Virtual discussion focuses on creating an anti-racist system at the SIU

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The SIU System’s Conversation of Understanding series continued on Wednesday with a discussion of creating an anti-racist system.

A panel from the Carbondale and Edwardsville campuses addressed several topics, including is it possible to build an anti-racist system?

UES-C Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Rose Morose says it’s possible because we don’t have a choice to move our society forward. But, she admits it will take a lot of people to join the effort.

“We need a critical mass. The more people we have engaged, the easier it becomes. It will never be easy. When you have a huge load, it lightens the load when there are many, many people sharing it with you. “

JT Snipes is President of the SIU-E Black Faculty Staff Association. He agrees that the more people on board, the better. But, he doubts that a local effort can be sustained to support the institution.

“I’m afraid we have too many people who are only concerned with being seen as non-racist as opposed to actively anti-racist.”

A pair of SIU system students participated in Wednesday’s comprehension conversation.

They were asked directly what policies they would like the SIU to put in place to become an anti-racist institution.

Jacideah Nunnery is a junior at SIU-E and is co-secretary of the National Association of the Club of Women of Color. She says the SIU needs to offer a more diverse curriculum.

“Open up the idea of ​​having more black classes and just open up the idea of ​​bringing students to those first year classes and sharing their experiences. Just be a mentor to the younger ones because it really starts with the younger generation. “

SIU vice-president for anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion, Sheila Caldwell, says anti-racism policies start with transparency.

“So when you can’t get certain information and things are kept in the dark, for me that’s one way of knowing that maybe it is racist policy. If you don’t can’t tell everyone, if you can’t shout it from the rooftops, then we know we have to be careful about it. “

Caldwell says system leaders have agreed to require all SIU faculty, staff and students to complete mandatory diversity and inclusion training starting in October 2022.

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