St. Bonaventure is set to host a series of seminars titled “#RaceMatters,” regarding racial equality, during this semester.
The program will include several movies, discussions and talks and aims to open the door for further dialogue on racial issues facing America, according to Rick Trietley, vice president of student affairs.
According to Trietley, the idea for the #RaceMatters campaign came about at the end of last spring’s semester, when a student posted a racially charged tweet in reference to the Baltimore riots. In response to the tweet, the university set up a racial bias education-planning group.
“This planning group, consisting of 15 campus community members,… met five times during the summer months to develop the comprehensive #RaceMatters campaign,” Trietley said.
Individual faculty members will bring in lecturers for the campaign, as will Campus Ministries and the First Year Experience.
According to Trietley, Residence Life will host a “Civil Dialogue” series, while Student Government Association (SGA) will sponsor a movie series.
“We were very fortunate that this year’s All Bonas Read selection fit perfectly into the theme of racial bias and bigotry,” Trietley said.
The book, entitled “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption,” by Bryan Stevenson, is a nonfictional account of the work of a pro-bono death row lawyer who helped African Americans turn over unjust convictions, and who also founded the Equal Justice Initiative of Montgomery, Alabama.
According to Geoffrey Broadbent, a freshman biology major, the All Bonas Read book and the upcoming #RaceMatters programs are particularly relevant given America’s current social climate.
“[The book] was very appropriate considering the Black Lives Matter movement. I wouldn’t say it changed my world views; I would say it confirmed what I already believed,” Broadbent said.
The first speaker for the program, Dr. Breea Willingham, will present a lecture entitled, “Race, Crime and the American Injustice System” today at 3 p.m. in the Walsh Amphitheatre.
Other programs will include speeches by Dr. Matthew Cressler on Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. in the chapel; Dr. David Kirkland on Oct. 19 at 4 p.m. in the Board of Trustees Room in Doyle Hall; Sr. Helen Prejean on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Rigas Theatre in the Quick Center; as well as two speeches by attorney Charlotte Morrison and her client, Anthony Ray Hinton from the Equal Justice Initiative, date and time to be announced.
Residential Life will host their “Civil Dialogue Series” conversation regarding the Confederate flag on Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. in the Shay Hall and Loughlen Hall lobby; Native American mascot imagery will be discussed on Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. in the lobby of Robinson Hall; and cultural appropriation in Halloween costumes will be discussed on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. in a location to be announced.
Movies about race issues will include “Do the Right Thing,” shown on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Walsh Ampitheatre; “Farmingville” on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Loft; and “White People” on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.
According to Trietley, the goal of the #RaceMatters seminar is quite simple.
“We believe the #RaceMatters program will further reinforce the values of respect and dignity for the worth of all human beings,” he said. “We also hope that these educational programs and conversations will help our campus become a more inclusive, accepting, and culturally competent community.”
