Sustaining our support for one another
A message from José Villalba, vice president for diversity and inclusion and professor of counseling.
During these times of sorrow, anger, confusion and fear for our country, our community and our University, it is important that we acknowledge that our friends and colleagues are still very much reeling from recent – and repeated – waves of injustice, racism and inequities. African American members of our community in particular are experiencing trauma in very real and pertinent ways right now.
Our African American colleagues in particular are simultaneously balancing their work loads, a national pandemic, and wondering about how the University’s next steps for the fall and beyond will impact their day-to-day lives. These experiences are compounded by a society that once again has made black people fear for their lives. Black caregivers wonder how many more times they will have to have a talk with their children about how to and not to engage with law enforcement, and black trans folk are feeling scared that they will be uniquely targeted as being “less than.”
Because some in our community have reached out to ask me what they should “say” or “do,” I am sharing with you what I have shared with them.
- Reflect on why you want to share your care with your African American colleagues, as well as why the events that have transpired lately should matter to you as an individual.
- Use your reflections as starting points when deciding how to offer your support, focusing on your colleagues’ experiences, pain and discomfort rather than yours.
- Statements of support should be followed by actions including one’s self-education on anti-racism and the perpetuation of structural oppression, joining with local organizations that work towards a more equitable community, and minimizing the prevalence of health disparities (to name a few).
If you want to get a sense of what your African American colleagues in particular might be experiencing at this moment, consider reading, “Maintaining Professionalism In the Age of Black Death Is … A Lot” and, “Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They’re Okay, Chances Are They Are Not.”
People with good intentions and differing levels of knowledge are trying to help their colleagues, students and neighbors. Many in our community, through social media, phone calls and emails, have said to our African American community members: “I see you;” “I’m sorry;” “Let me know how to help.” May these statements of empathy lead to sustained actions and expressions of love and support, both on this campus and throughout our nation.
Categories: Guest Post, Inside WFU
Smith's work with middle school featured in article
Tina Smith, the museum educator at Wake Forest’s Museum of Anthropology, was recently featured in an article in the Mt. Airy News. The article highlighted the curriculum for eight-graders at Central Middle School in Pilot Mountain, N.C. Smith helped judge projects by students who worked to design portable exhibits that explained the Holocaust to 4- and 5-year-olds.
Read more about Smith and the program »
Categories: Staff News
Browne directs local science competition
Wake Forest senior Sean Cusano (’13) and first-year Wake medical student Matthew Martin (BS ’12) examine a team’s bottle rocket.
On Saturday, 179 local middle and high school students competed in a regional Science Olympiad tournament, a track meet-like event that featured 46 different events in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Nine high school and eight middle school teams from Alleghany, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes and Yadkin counties participated.
Wake Forest biology professor Carole Browne served as the Science Olympiad regional director and coordinated more than 40 volunteers from Wake Forest and the Winston-Salem community.
In addition to students from the Reynolda and Bowman Gray campuses, the following faculty and staff also gave of their time to oversee events such as Bottle Rocket, Forensics, Shock Value, Designer Genes and Elastic Launched Glider: Read more
Categories: Events
Holiday Party is Thursday
Below is a message from President Nathan Hatch:
Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to invite you and your family to the 2012 Reynolda Campus Holiday Party for faculty and staff on Thursday, Dec. 13. This year’s event will be held at The Barn and promises to be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the spirit of the holiday season in the company of fellow Wake Foresters. With holiday arts and crafts stations, festive food, and a visit by Santa Claus, the gathering will be particularly fun for young children. This year we will also be adding a bit of Pro Humanitate to the event, and will be collecting donations for the United Way’s Point-in-Time Count. Please see below for further details.
- Date: Thursday, December 13
- Time: 3-6 p.m.
- Location: The Barn (located near Palmer and Piccolo Residence Halls and the WFDD Radio Station)
- Transportation: Shuttle service will be provided on a continuously circulating route. Look for special Holiday Party Shuttle Stop signs in the Benson University Center traffic circle, by the entrance to Wingate Hall in Lot P, and by the Wake Forest Road entrance to Lot W1.
Categories: Events
Dedicated Deacons
My hearty thanks to those of you that have worked and will work on Wake Forest’s Habitat for Humanity house. I am so appreciative of your service and commitment to our community. Read more. — from Nathan O. Hatch, University President
Categories: Dedicated Deacons
