Nosotros: Highlighting the Hispanic Experience at UAB

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, ODEI hosted a panel discussion featuring UAB students of Hispanic origin and descent to talk about their unique and shared experiences as young Americans. The panel discussion examined Hispanic history, culture, and identity through the eyes of those who live it daily. The discussion served as a celebration of the contributions of Hispanic-Americans both at UAB and beyond, as the students discuss their visions for the future.

The panel included: Gala Romero, SALSA President; Miguel Luna, DEI Coordinator Undergraduate Student Government Association, Administrative Coordinator Social Justice Advocacy Council; Elizabeth Lopez, second-year med student, Latino Medical Student Association; Francis Cruz, second-year med student, Latino Medical Student Association; Isabella Campos, Board Member for Esperanza; and Jasmin Hernandez, Board Member for Esperanza, SJAC Affiliate Lead. ODEI’s Director of Community Engagement and Outreach, Dr. Ana Rodriguez Good, moderated the discussion.

The event was open to all. This event was hosted by a partnership between UAB’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion along with student groups S.A.L.S.A. and Esperanza.

The First Amendment: College Campuses and Free Speech

As colleges and universities have returned for a new school year, the re-emergence of controversial speakers and demonstrators will begin to renew their efforts to spread their controversial ideas under the protection of free speech rights. Universities are tasked with honoring free speech rights of individuals while attempting to create environments of inclusion and support. Often these efforts seem contradictory when speakers expose ideas that are in conflict with inclusion.

Dr. Clay Calvert is professor emeritus at the University of Florida. He held a joint appointment as a professor of law at the Fredric G. Levin College of Law and a Brechner Eminent Scholar in Mass Communication in the College of Journalism and Communications. Specializing in First Amendment and media law, Calvert has published more than 150 law journal articles on topics affecting free expression, and he is lead author of "Mass Media Law." Dr. Calvert shared his expertise on the First Amendment and why it is important to maintain a healthy campus discourse with it in mind.

This event was free and open to the public.

Shared Histories: A Conversation on Black-Jewish Relations in Birmingham and Beyond

Conversations about Anti-Semitism and Anti-Black Racism have become more prominent today with the emergence of far right and white supremacists'groups being more visible in the everyday media cycle. Yet many of the conversations about these two topics are often couched as separate issues and there is little discourse about their shared histories and concerns.

For this conversation, we welcomed a panel of scholars and leaders to discuss these shared histories and how understanding the history of these communities, specifically in Birmingham, will help move both communities forward with a shared interest. Panelists included: Jonathan Wiesen, PhD, Professor and Chair of UAB Department of History; Margaret Norman, Temple Beth-EL Director of Programming and Engagement; Joyce Shevin, Birmingham Jewish Community Relations Council of the Birmingham Jewish Federation; and Barry McNealy, UAB African American Studies. The conversation was moderated by Tina Kempin Reuter, PhD, Director of UAB Institute for Human Rights.

This event was free and open to the public.

An Evening with Revered Dr. William Barber, II

The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II is the President and Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach; Co- Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival; Bishop with The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries; Visiting Professor at Union Theological Seminary; and Senior Fellow at Auburn Seminary. For more than a quarter century, he has pastored the Greenleaf Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

Reverend Dr. Barber concluded UAB's recognition of King Week by sharing his efforts to preserve Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy of a Poor People's Campaign. Every year, there are celebrations surrounding the life of Dr. King, but very few people truly embody the moral and socially just principles inspired by Dr. King's life. Dr. Barber shared more about the Poor People's Campaign and everyone's responsibility to continue its legacy.

This event was co-sponsored by the UAB Institute for Human Rights, UAB Division of Student Affairs, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and the City of Birmingham Mayor's Office.

Extremism: Understanding the role of the First Amendment and Dealing with Hate Speech on College Campuses

As colleges and universities have returned to in-person classes and campus life, the re-emergence of controversial speakers and demonstrators have begun to renew their efforts to spread their controversial ideas under the protection of free speech rights. Universities are tasked with honoring free speech rights of individuals while attempting to create environments of inclusion and support. Often these efforts seem contradictory when speakers expose ideas that are in conflict with inclusion.

Join us as we welcome Dr. Clay Calvert, the Brechner Eminent Scholar in Mass Communication and Director of the Mario B. Brechner First Amendment Project at the University of Florida to discuss the role of the first amendment on college campuses and how universities should react to unwanted speakers coming to their campus.

This event is co-sponsored by the UAB Undergraduate Student Government Association and Staff Council.

The Pandemic, One Year Later: George Floyd, Race and Policing

It’s been a year and three months since George Floyd was murdered by the Minneapolis police, sparking nationwide protests over the destructive and often deadly violence too often inflicted with impunity upon minoritized communities by the police officers charged to serve and protect them. Communities openly debated how to root out racist police practices and achieve just policing.

Join us as we welcome a panel of scholars and activists to reflect and discuss police reform and defunding efforts locally and nationally. Panelists include: Brandon Blankenship, Former Police Chief Annetta Nunn, and Andrew Baer.

From the Classroom to the Boardroom: A Discussion of Equity Led by BIPOC Women

Gender inequality is a major barrier to social equity and sustainable progress in the United States. Women continue to have a more limited presence than men in leadership and business, having inadequate access to and control of resources. Reducing gender disparity is crucial for the development of a more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable society. While some progress has been made to increase women’s participation, there remains a persistent gender equity gap. Many organizations still fall short of inclusive targets to close the gender gap. For BIPOC women, the gender disparities are even more glaring. Researchers argue that this results from a combination of historical biases around the intersection of race and gender social norms, including, but not limited to, workplace “motherhood penalties,” sexism, and occupational segregation.

Join us for Critical Conversations "From the Classroom to the Boardroom: A Discussion of Equity Led by BIPOC Women," as we invite BIPOC women to the table to unpack their experiences and address the central question, "How do we close the gender equity gap?"

White People Talking About Racism

In 2020 we witnessed a Black Lives Matter movement that has been arguably more inclusive and cross-cultural than any movement prior. As more white people show up in the streets supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the fight for social justice and racial equality, their presence has been met with a mixture of both acceptance and skepticism. For some, this is a shift from a long tradition of whites being silently complicit about racist ideas and practices upon BIPOC communities and bodies. For others, the genuineness of the solidarity we witnessed from white activists is questioned.

Join us for Critical Conversations "White People Talking About Racism," as we invite our white colleagues to the table to unpack these thoughts amongst themselves and discuss the challenges, opportunities, and what’s next in engaging one another in anti-racist work.

Post-Election America: What's next for our communities?

The year 2020 introduced challenges and opportunities that tested the strength of our institutions and social systems. Together, we witnessed the sacrifices made in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, held uncomfortable conversations, challenging racial and economic inequities, and ended the year by producing the biggest turnout of voters in the history of U.S. elections. Specifically, the conversation will explore community engagement, education, economics, and healthcare equity, attempting to answer the question “What’s next and how do we heal?”

Join us for Critical Conversations to discuss "Post-Election America: What's next for our communities?" The conversation "Post-Election America: What’s next for our communities?"This event is co-sponsored by the UAB Institute for Human Rights.

Academic Freedom, Free Expression, and Civil Discourse Workshops

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion welcomes Dr. Lara Schwartz to campus to provide two separate workshops on academic freedom, free expression, and civil discourse for students and faculty and staff. In addition to exploring the many ongoing debates about free speech (and its boundaries), Dr. Schwartz will address surrounding issues including but not limited to protests and boycotts, whistle-blowing, coded language, difficult conversations, ethics of partisanship and compassion. Participants will also take part in a moderated classroom-style session in which they engage with hypothetical fact patterns together and interactively considering solutions to problems that might arise in their college community.

Student Workshop: September 30, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.

How is COVID-19 Exposing Disparities Within the Local Economy?

The coronavirus has caused countries around the world to close their borders, shutter schools and nonessential businesses, while skyrocketing layoffs, freezing economies, and forcing communities to adapt to lives online. In addition to testing individuals’ psyches, the pandemic is challenging the nature of communal response, thus exposing existing inequalities and social vulnerabilities. The size of the impact varies from community to community depending on underlying conditions. Join us as we bring together nationally and internationally known experts for an online dialogue series designed to address these intersections while highlighting the challenges and opportunities introduced by coronavirus and how it is shaping access, equity, and social justice considerations across various populations.

Featured panelists:
Dr. Stephanie Yates, Endowed Professor and Director of the Regions Institute for Financial Education in UAB Collat School of Business
Dr. Anthony Hood (moderator), Associate Professor in UAB Collat School of Business and Director of Civic Innovation in the Office of the President
Leroy Abrahams, Executive Vice President and Head of Community Affairs at Regions Bank
Dr. Carlos E. Alemán, Deputy Director Mission Support, The Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama

Resource Guide for individuals and small businesses

Watch the conversation here: YouTube

History as Education, Entertainment, or Propaganda: A Community Town Hall

In recent years, there has been a number of ongoing debates, commentary, and criticism around a number of retold historical events.From school textbooks replacing the word slaves with workers, immigrants, or indentured servants as interchangeable terms to describe slavery in America to Hollywood blockbuster films taking creative liberties to add in fictionalized characters and plot lines to make movies more inspirational and palatable for the audience.Scholars have noted that the representations of historical narratives in film and television are a method of societal control because it shapes our likelihood to accept or deny public memory through the dissemination of values and beliefs. Join us as we explore these various intersections, its impact on today’s culture, and answer the overarching question, “Should how we tell the story matter?”

Featured panelists:
John Fields, Senior Director, AEIVA
Bridgett Kennedy, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology at UAB
Barry McNealy, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Michael S. Fitts, Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean for User Access & Diversity, UAB Libraries
Traci Jones, Birmingham Children’s Theatre

This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited and tickets are required.

Free Speech and Hate Speech Activism Workshop for Students

Training on responding to free speech, hate speech, First Amendment challenges, and race related incidents on campus for students and for faculty and staff. Brenner and Schwartz will present lessons learned from the previous sessions and propose a path forward for developing sustainable responses. This session will encourage participants to take the perspective of other campus stakeholders and view speech challenges through the lens of other members of the UAB community. Civility in action will be taught in a hands-on workshop that includes brainstorming for campus solutions while evaluating campus policies regarding free speech, hate speech, and expression and learn about avenues for civic engagement on and off campus beyond traditional protest.

Free Speech, Hate Speech Workshop for Students

Lara Schwartz and Brenner presentation to students on developments and challenges in campus speech in Alabama and nationally. This presentation will include a brief overview of Alabama’s new campus speech law and its meaning for the campus; the growing partisan divide in opinions on higher education and its relationship to perceived threats to free speech; an overview of other speech and expression issues affecting campuses and US society including measures limiting protest, whistle-blowing, and boycott; and a discussion of myths and facts about the relationship between free speech and inclusion in higher education. Students will also take part in a moderated classroom-style session in which they engage with hypothetical fact patterns together, interactively considering solutions to problems that might arise in their college community.

Free Speech In and Outside the Classroom: Faculty and Staff Lunch & Learn

A classroom-style session in which faculty and staff engage with current concerns regarding issues of free speech, hate speech and expression they have experienced with UAB students both inside and outside of the classroom. This presentation will include a brief overview of Alabama’s new campus speech law and its meaning for the campus; the growing partisan divide in opinions on higher education and its relationship to perceived threats to free speech; an overview of other speech and expression issues affecting campuses and US society including measures limiting protest, whistle-blowing, and boycott; and a discussion of myths and facts about the relationship between free speech and inclusion in higher education. Faculty and staff will learn of techniques for de-escalation, civil discussion, maintaining neutrality, tying civil discourse to course learning objectives or program goals, facilitating civil dialogue between student groups and students, tools for interrupting microaggressions, understanding implicit and blindspot bias, addressing intentional and unintentional hurtful speech, and the protocol for facilitating dialogue about challenging topics and maintaining authenticity while keeping personal opinions and political orientation separate from assessment and outcomes.

UAB and First Amendment Rights: A Community Town Hall

A series of events about free speech and hate speech will take place at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in October, hosted by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. A town hall meeting and workshops for students, faculty and staff will address the campus community’s thoughts, questions and concerns about free speech and hate speech across higher education and at UAB. The town hall will take place Monday, Oct. 14, at 6 p.m. in Heritage Hall Room 102. David Hudson, Jr., First Amendment specialist and renowned author and speaker, will serve as moderator.

Sharing and Reconciling with Difficult Histories

Many years after the fact, difficult U.S. histories such as slavery, Westward expansion, the Civil War, Japanese internment camps and Jim Crow remain difficult to address. However, current events -- protests around Confederate monuments, celebrities accused of cultural appropriation and white politicians in blackface – serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of leaving difficult histories underexamined. Join a panel of experts who will discuss "What makes difficult history so difficult?"

Between Charity and Social Justice - Community Engagement Among Churches and Faith-based Communities-Part II

This is a follow-up conversation which continues to focus on the mission, challenges, and opportunities present among diverse, faith-based communities as it relates to serving the larger society. In this discussion, we invite a number of leaders from various world religions to join us as we continue to address, “How do we tackle such divisions to promote a greater sense of community healing, uplift, and unity?”

Between Charity and Social Justice - Community Engagement Among Churches and Faith-based Communities

The conversation will focus on the mission, challenges, and opportunities present among diverse, local faith-based communities as it relates to serving the larger society. In addition, with Sunday being noted as “the most segregated day in America,” panelists will answer the overarching question, “How do we tackle such divisions to promote a greater sense of community healing, uplift, and unity?”

Amplifying the Voices and Echoes of #MeToo

The forum focuses on the aftermath of sexual harassment allegations brought forward against well-known celebrities like Harvey Weinstein, Louis C.K., Kevin Spacey, R. Kelly and others. Although the allegations have focused mostly on high-profile celebrities and politicians, higher education has not been immune to similar trends. This forum address the #MeToo movement, its impact on higher education, and the legal and ethical issues college and university leadership must consider when confronted with allegations of sexual misconduct.

Creating and Sustaining the Beloved Community - Part II

In this follow-up discussion, we address the unanswered questions from our previous dialogue while continuing to explore the idea of what it means to have a beloved community and explore the opportunities available to improve our overall community well-being.

Creating and Sustaining the Beloved Community

Community well-being is the result of a complex interplay of social, cultural, economic, political and environmental factors that is beyond the influence of any one individual, organization or level of government alone. In this conversation, we will discuss some of the most creative and lasting solutions to enhance community well-being depend upon citizens, government, and a diversity of organizations that unite around a common vision. In addition, we will explore ways in which we can better facilitate community engagement between UAB and greater Birmingham.