The Lens - The University of Kansas

Focusing on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

                  The Lens
                        Diversity & Inclusion Committee Newsletter
                           The University of Kansas Staff Senate

         Educate. Empower. Act.
Our mission is to encourage and inspire KU staff to continue working towards a diverse
and inclusive environment. By taking the time to educate ourselves, empower others, and
actively engage in the community, we can work towards a more equitable future for
everyone at KU.

Black Lives Matter
A goal of the University of Kansas Staff Senate Diversity & Inclusion Committee is to create
change at our Predominantly White Institution (PWI), actively working to dismantle the
ways that we have historically upheld white supremacy culture and have continued to do
so. We believe that it is imperative to understand the ways in which we are complicit in
discriminatory systems, to unlearn all supremacist behaviors, and to take a clear stand
against the brutal murders of Black, Brown and Transgender Americans. The recent killings
of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tony McDade, Nina Pop, David
McAtee, Rayshard Brooks, and Elijah McClain (whether at the hands of police or other
individuals) must be acknowledged as unacceptable along with so many others as we work
for justice in the spirit of global protests against anti-black violence.

In the coming weeks, the Staff Senate Diversity & Inclusion Committee will be drafting an
action plan for addressing white supremacy culture within our own organization and more
broadly at KU. If you would like to join us in that effort, please contact Jeff Severin,
committee co-chair, at jseverin@ku.edu.

Resources for Learning
   •   On June 3, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Executive Director of the African American Policy
       Forum (AAPF), hosted “The Fire This Time,” an urgent discussion (accessible here)
       of systemic anti-black racism and recent killings of Black people by police that
       included guests Devon Carbado, Alicia Garza, Robin D.G. Kelley, Maria Moore
       (sister of Kayla Moore & member of #SayHerName Campaign), and special guest
       Attorney General Keith Ellison.
   •   Crenshaw also hosted a June 17 discussion (accessible here), “Say Her Name: Telling
       Stories of State Violence and Public Silence,” which, like “The Fire This Time,” was
       part of the AAPF’s series “Under the Blacklight.” The participants were mothers and
       sisters of Black women killed by the police including Sandra Bland, Michelle
       Cusseaux, Shelly Frey, Korryn Gaines, India Kager, and Kayla Moore. Find more
       information about the #SayHerName Campaign here & search their names to learn
       more about each of these women.

•   Support Black authors who have written about racism and what constitutes anti-
       racism by buying from Black-owned independent book stores.
   •   Understand that learning about what constitutes anti-racism must be a part of taking
       action to dismantle racist systems.
   •   An expanded list on how to support marginalized communities and Lawrence
       specific resources in response to protests against institutional racism & police
       brutality, and COVID-19 is available here.

Pride Month
COVID-19 has necessitated the cancellation of many traditional in-person LGBTQ+ Pride
events, such as parades and parties, this year. However, amidst urgent protests against
unchecked police brutality and white supremacy culture a march of thousands in Brooklyn
(one among many across the US) on June 14 in support of Black Trans Lives underscored
the intersection of racial equity and equity for LGBTQ+ people. The intertwining of these
fights for social justice serves as a reminder that women of color, including trans activists

Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera as well as Black lesbian activist Stormé DeLarverie,
were at the Stonewall Inn during the police raid in 1969 and were among the first to fight
back in protest. This resistance is widely considered as the inception of the modern
LGBTQ+ rights movement, the 51st anniversary of which was celebrated yesterday, June 28,
2020, across the country.

Resources for Learning
         •   Teen Vogue’s Celebrating Pride 2020 Across the United States (includes video
             diaries, journal entries, photos, and art from across the US)
         •   Learn about the significance of the Supreme Court’s June 15 LGBTQ
             Employment decision.
         •   Learn about Lambda Legal’s suit against the Trump Administration’s recent
             Anti-Transgender Health Care Rule.
         •   Donate in support of Black Trans Lives.
         •   Support the Kansas City Anti-Violence Project (KCAVP), “a 501(c)(3)
             nonprofit corporation committed to providing domestic violence, sexual
             assault, and hate crimes advocacy and education to the lesbian, gay, bisexual,
             transgender and queer community. Currently, we are the only LGBTQ-
             specific domestic violence or sexual assault services in Missouri, Kansas,
             Nebraska, or Iowa. KCAVP was created to address this gap by providing
             support and services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender queer and
             questioning victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and hate violence in
             the region, with a home base in the Kansas City area and services
             throughout Missouri and Kansas.”
         •   Learn how to make workplaces more equitable for trans people.
         •   Watch Sam Feder’s 2020 Netflix documentary Disclosure, which examines
             trans representation in media including films and TV from the perspective of
             trans actors and activists.
         •   Watch Lauren Tabak and Barry Walters’ short (15-minute) documentary about
             a Black queer icon: Love Me Like You Should: The Brave and Bold Sylvester

To realize a world of equality and dignity for all, we will have to
 change laws and policies; we will also have to change hearts and
minds. Every sector and every person can play a role, speaking out
to remind the world that it should not be illegal to live your life as
      you are and to live your life with whomever you love.”

– Rick Parnell, former Chief Operating Officer of the UN Foundation

                KU Staff Senate D&I Committee
         Unpacking Whiteness in the Workplace Initiative

                             Committee Co-chairs:
                    Michelle Wilson (michellewilson@ku.edu)
                        & Jeff Severin (jseverin@ku.edu

             For more information or to unsubscribe from this mailing list,
                    please contact Jeff Severin (jseverin@ku.edu)