All students should feel welcome at their chosen college, and Elizabethtown College tries to make this possible through many events. One of the major ones occurring over the past two years is the Social Justice Fair.
The Social Justice Fair was an idea that originated from the mind of the Deputy Title IX Coordinator Gabbie Reed. Originally, Reed sought to create an event for the survivors of sexual assault during sexual assault awareness month. During that same period, others reached out to her wishing for greater advocacy, and she found a way to advocate for those people who have experienced sexual assault as well as so many other groups.
The event could not be possible without the great levels of coordination that happen on campus. To name a few, Reed was aided by director of the Center for Community and Civic Engagement Javita Thompson, Associate Director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging Darcey Mills and those who provided materials such as Residence Life and those at the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being for allowing the event to take place there.
The first year of the event served well as students received varying perspectives on life and opportunities such as internships, allowing them to learn about what they may want to do for their future.
Reed believes that there are “so many different students with so many different needs and we want to create a space for them.” She continued, “I think it’s cool that we are giving different organizations on campus the space to talk about issues that they might not necessarily have another place to [talk] about in such a large format.”
Such an idea aligns well with the Etown idea of Equity and Belonging. The more that students can feel heard and represented on campus, the more comfortable they will feel and the more likely they will be to make their perspectives even further heard. Then, in terms of Equity, it further displays an acceptance of backgrounds here on campus and even in the greater community.
This year, the event has more than doubled the number of representatives coming to the fair. It had both clubs on campus and those in the surrounding area. In addition to having the opportunity to visit those tabling and sharing their unique experiences, students could get their hair cut and watch a performance from the dance team. At individual tables, there were bracelets, henna, stickers and even t-shirts being offered.
In the field directly across from Ober, there was a labyrinth that students could traverse. It served as a visual representation of the path that many have to take through life and the challenges that are involved. Such a journey is not always easy, but it is important as students must find a way from campus to the larger world as they advance their education and career.
Clubs on campus had many reasons for attending the event that aligned with their goals. Some came to show that their career path, even though not traditionally founded in social justice and advocacy, could find ways to further that want. Others wanted to make their goals better known and reach more people on campus.
The Student Occupational Association found that social justice fits well into the career path as they have clients of a variety of backgrounds, and they wish to “remove barriers for those of lower socioeconomic status and in general that stops people from accessing help.”
The Office of Student Activities said that everyone should “make themselves more aware of the issues at stake due to their importance.”
It’s On US, a club at the College promoting sexual assault awareness, not only had trivia and resources about their primary issue but had a mission closely aligned with the Social Justice Fair.
Unity is as important as ever in recent times. When all advocacy-based groups and those who help the College can come together for an event like the Social Justice Fair, it displays the strength of not only the students but the College and those behind the event. Hopefully, such a fair can become a long withstanding tradition in College history and people can continue to not only be heard but understood on campus.
