Dear Campus Community,
The Division of Equity & Inclusion invites you to join us at the launch of our new series B4: Building Belonging @ Berkeley & Beyond
These virtual dialogues are grounded in Paulo Freire’s concept of conscientização, or critical consciousness, which embodies a mindset of ‘reading the word and the world.’ The topics and speakers are meant to transgress boundaries (hooks, 1994) of how we envision and practice belonging by critically centering intersecting identities at UC Berkeley. In this sense, building belonging means actively engaging in dialogue that challenges colonial and oppressive ideologies and practices by naming the forces that are oppressive and honoring critical forms of consciousness like mestiza consciousness (Anzaldúa, 1987), Indigenísta thought (Grande, 2004), and Black Feminist Thought (Hill-Collins, 1990).
The goals of the series are to:
- Develop a deeper understanding of structural and internalized oppression.
- Engage in collaborative efforts to overcome and dismantle structural and internalized oppression.
- Develop transformative practitioners whose work centers on restoring shared community values, and equality and social justice.
We will kick off the B4 series with a virtual dialogue entitled Critical Consciousness During Pandemic Times on Thursday, October 28, 2021, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm (PST). The second, entitled Critical Approaches to Transformative Justice and Trauma, will be held on Thursday, December 9, 2021, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm. Please RSVP through this link
We look forward to seeing you virtually at the inaugural event or one of our future discussions.
With you,
Dania Matos, J.D.
Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion
she/her/ella
This message was sent to all students, staff, and faculty.