Recognizing and celebrating the differences among its population is at the foundation of the learning experiences and opportunities for students at Elizabethtown College. It lives within the motto of “Educate for Service,” and learning from others is another form of education that comes from some of the classes offered on campus. Outside of the classroom, it has included events that fall under the Equity and Diversity area of the Blue Print Program, an Etown initiative where events are categorized based on their signature learning experiences and are awarded points, or events hosted by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Belonging (DEB).
A major celebration that includes the DEB office and its efforts is “Etown Does PRIDE.” Throughout the month of April, students can celebrate the history and continuation of the legacy made by lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, non-binary and queer people. This includes the PRIDE Kick-Off on April 1st with chalk art created by the community and speakers touching on what PRIDE means to them, the third annual social justice fair on April 5th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. held in the Bower’s Fitness Center and the annual drag show on April 5th from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. in the Koons Activity Venue (KAV).
The social justice fair may stand out to students who are not aware of the concept or how it fits into the celebration of PRIDE. A concise way of explaining what encompasses social justice comes from the eight tenets of social justice, which include educational equity, gender equity and sexual violence prevention, racial justice and equity, LGBTQIA+ rights, environmental and economic justice, human rights, disability rights and immigration and refugee advocacy.
PRIDE acts as a fundamental aspect of social justice, as within the idea of social justice is equal opportunity and equity for people no matter any aspect of their identity, listening to those who have been marginalized and including intersectionality as a framework for every issue.
“The Social Justice Fair is such an important event, as it provides an open space for all individuals to come together and learn from one another. Advocacy starts with education and awareness, which will be the focal points of this event. With the upcoming Etown Does PRIDE celebration, positivity and understanding should be at the forefront of the campus community; therefore, the Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) looks forward to tabling at the fair,” Alysse Smith, second-year student and GSA president, said.
Clubs and community groups will be tabling at the event from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to expand upon their social justice efforts and provide resources to the campus community.
One of the newest additions is the inclusion of concurrent sessions of speakers from noteworthy people on campus and off campus; this year, the first session will be from 10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. and the second session from 11 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.
Each individual and organization will be providing specific sessions relating to the tenets of social justice and their own missions and experiences. For specific information about each of the events, students can find the titles of each of the sessions on Etown’s Office of Title IX’s instagram.
“My topic will focus on capitalism and colonialism, treating them both as social justice issues. My topic will also bring forth scholars’ bell hooks, W.E.B . Dubois and Amilcar Cabral. As we begin to think about colonialism and colonization and its structural inequity, how then can we heal from these processes in an engaged and informed way?” Eugene Thomas, assistant director of the Learning Zone, said.
“My primary focus will be Black, Latinx and Asian Americans’ experience in the U.S. following recent issues like police brutality and murders, slander regarding immigrants and being responsible for the COVID outbreak. This will be more of an open discussion with psychoeducation,” Jihan Tyler-Owens, previous fair attendee and Etown lecturer of psychology, said.
Another option is commUNITY circles where students will break into guided discussion related to the tenets that they have interest in.
There is also an opportunity from Nichole Gonzalez, director of Title IX/Compliance Programs and Intercultural Affairs, for Safe Zone Training, which allows people to have greater LGBTQ+ awareness and become better allies for their LGBTQ+ friends and community members.Those who attend will get regalia recognizing their efforts and signaling them as a safe space.
“Participants can expect to see a transformative and inclusive space where the principles of peace, non-violence, social justice and human dignity converge to inspire lasting change. From workshops, to the resource fair to the community circles, free haircuts and live music we have something for everyone,” Gabrielle Reed, Title IX coordinator and creator of the social justice fair, said.
