Wednesday, October 31, 2018, @ 4:30 PM
Sojourner Truth Library Conference Room (M39)

Last week’s topic, “Beta Male” got pushed aside by the federal government’s rumored attempt to define gender. Meanwhile, there has been another tragic hate crime, this time in Pittsburgh. And Peter Kaufman in his extraordinary presentation last night pointed out the ongoing power of stigma: lung cancer kills more people than any other type of cancer, yet is not as well funded as many others. And the College Council meets tomorrow to decide on President Christian’s recommendation to rename buildings on campus associated with slave-owning. So much to talk about… What’s burning on your mind?

EVERYONE is welcome to join in the Conversation: staff members, students, community members, faculty; any religion (or no religion), any political affiliation (or none).  No special expertise needed.

Please come prepared to listen generously and with a willingness to learn.  Our goal is to speak from our lived experience, and to be mindful of the feelings of others.  More detail in our Mission and Values.

Today’s Topic is just a suggestion.  You are always welcome to bring whatever is challenging, or hurting, or encouraging you in your life.

To be sure to get all updates, join the mailing list.

Wednesday, October 23, 2018, @ 4:30 PM
Sojourner Truth Library Conference Room (M39)

The guy’s obviously trying to be mindful of his privilege and his high status. He listens actively. He empathizes. So who’s going to tell him when he screws up? Is he really as safe to talk to as he presents himself?
Care to discuss?*
*(Different topic from what I promised last week, but several recent crucial conversations make this topic seem more germane.)

EVERYONE is welcome to join in the Conversation: staff members, students, community members, faculty; any religion (or no religion), any political affiliation (or none).  No special expertise needed.

Please come prepared to listen generously and with a willingness to learn.  Our goal is to speak from our lived experience, and to be mindful of the feelings of others.  More detail in our Mission and Values.

Today’s Topic is just a suggestion.  You are always welcome to bring whatever is challenging, or hurting, or encouraging you in your life.

To be sure to get all updates, join the mailing list.

Is she Black or African American?

What are Chris’s pronouns?

Do I say Native American or Indian?

Do you ever get tired of trying to get this stuff right?

Care to discuss?

Wednesday, October 10th at 4:30-6:00 pm in the Sojourner Truth Library Conference Room M39

EVERYONE is welcome to join: secretaries, facilities staff, clerical staff, police officers, as well as faculty and students.  No special expertise needed.

Please be aware of our Mission and Values – which can be summed up as:” “listen generously, come prepared to change your mind and, speak only from your lived experience, in which you are the only expert.”

Remember to Join the mailing list for the most current updates.

A young woman of color recently told me of an occasion in which she had been “loud”. In truth, she hadn’t been loud at all, she had simply been speaking a difficult truth that had weighed on her heart. My sense is that when people, especially people of color and women, and most especially women of color, speak difficult truths, they are often perceived as “loud”, “dramatic”, “passionate”, “emotional”, “political”, and that these terms are used to undermine the power of their speaking. It seems to me that too many young women of color must fight to escape the internalization of this picture of themselves.

Does anyone else share this feeling?

Care to discuss?

*lyric from “My Shot”, from Hamilton: An American Musical, by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Wednesday, October 3rd at 4:30-6:00 pm in the Sojourner Truth Library Conference Room M39

EVERYONE is welcome to join: secretaries, facilities staff, clerical staff, police officers, as well as faculty and students.  No special expertise needed.

Please be aware of our Mission and Values – which can be summed up as:” “listen generously, come prepared to change your mind and, speak only from your lived experience, in which you are the only expert.”

Remember to Join the mailing list for the most current updates.

One of our regulars shared this poem with me. It raises any number of feelings in me – good and bad.

Wednesday, September 18 at 4:30-6:00 pm in the Sojourner Truth Library Conference Room M39

Care to discuss?

As always, all people, all perspectives are welcome.

Come as you are, with what’s challenging *YOU*.