Equity-Orientated Action

 

A working group out of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion has assembled this guide to support members of the MSU community in the learning and consciousness-raising process. The questions below are meant to guide self-reflection, discussion with others, and processing of these complex topics. This is neither a complete nor perfect guide. It is an invitation to what will be an ongoing conversation within our community. Please know that we will be expanding these resources and we invite you to submit additional resource recommendations. We hope you find them useful, and that you will continue the journey with us. 

1 and 2. Recognizing Identity and Self-Location & Developing an Equity-Oriented Consciousness

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION:

  • How have I learned about racism, privilege, and my own identities?
  • What do I not know or understand about racism?
  • Where does racial injustice come from and who does it impact most?
  • Why is racial injustice so entrenched and intransigent?
  • What are my motivations for developing an equity-oriented consciousness?
  • How can I find my voice to speak up about racial injustice, even if I am uncomfortable?
  • What resources exist to support students, faculty, and staff at MSU who experience discrimination?

RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPING CONSCIOUSNESS:

3. Desiring to Create Change

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION:

  • How do issues of racial injustice personally impact me?
  • Where do my strengths/skills lie?
  • What are areas where I see the need for change?
  • What have racial justice activists locally and nationally already been doing?

RESOURCES FOR CREATING CHANGE:

  • Antiracism Resources : a list of resources compiled by Good Good Good and adapted from the Antiracism Google Doc compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein.
  • Scaffolded Anti-Racist Resources : a useful guide with the stated goal “to facilitate growth for white folks to become allies, and eventually accomplices for anti-racist work.” Created by Anna Stamborski, M. Div Candidate, Nikki Zimmermann, M. Div candidate, Bailie Gregory, M. Div, M.S. Ed.
  • White Allyship 101: Resources to Get to Work : The Dismantle Collective is a “person of color-led group of Certified B Corps” whose goal is “to name, disrupt, and dismantle white supremacy.” They have developed the following guide to help define and unpack white allyship. The guide includes a helpful list of resources.

4. Committing to Equity-Oriented Action

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION:

  • How do I learn the history and the language of antiracism?
  • How do I take greater responsibility by productively speaking out when I witness someone saying or doing something racist?
  • How do I take responsibility in my teaching and professional spaces? 
  • How can I revise my course syllabi and teaching practices to center minoritized experiences and voices?

  • How do I support the work that racial justice groups in my community, state, and country are already doing? 

  • What is one action I can take today?

  • What is one longer-term goal for action I can commit to?

RESOURCES FOR TAKING ACTION:

MSU ORGANIZATIONS

  • African Student Association
  • American Indian Council
  • Asian Student Interracial Association (A.S.I.A.)
  • Black Student Union
  • Fuerza Latinx
  • MMIWG Awareness of MSU

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS