STARS seeks to end racism by developing workshops and training workshops and training
Steven Laird
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: News
Now is your chance to promote the university's commitment to diversity by joining STARS (Seeking Transformation toward Anti-Racist Systems) this spring.
Students, teachers and faculty have been asked to join the anti-racism team for the purpose of investigating, analyzing and dismantling systemic racism at NDNU.
A partnering organization, Crossroads Anti-Racism Organizing and Training, will train the STARS team at a series of workshops throughout the semester.
Founded in 1986, the Crossroads organization will help NDNU develop and implement strategies to dismantle racism within the institution, according to Jacque Little, assistant director of housing and residence life.
Crossroads has developed an intensive three-phase process to train teams on how to dismantle systemic racism in institutional structures.
Each of the three phases, which build on each other, lasts about three to six months, and the entire training process usually takes about 12- 18 months.
After completion, members are able to use their skills at leading their institution toward anti-racist programming.
"The purpose of STARS is to get people involved and working against systemic racism," said Little.
"Most of us don't even realize how they are affected by it, and we are taking a look at things that are usually not talked about.
"However, it is a slow and ongoing process."
The organization will examine each of the manifestations of racism, individual, institutional and cultural, along with the effects on white and ethnic communities.
"There are six stages of understanding systemic racism," said Little.
Religious, social and political perspectives will be viewed with the goal of dismantling systemic racism within institutions and in larger society.
For more information on joining the STARS team contact Little, Mary Oleksy, director of housing and residence life, or Dr. Bobby Vaughn.
Students, teachers and faculty have been asked to join the anti-racism team for the purpose of investigating, analyzing and dismantling systemic racism at NDNU.
A partnering organization, Crossroads Anti-Racism Organizing and Training, will train the STARS team at a series of workshops throughout the semester.
Founded in 1986, the Crossroads organization will help NDNU develop and implement strategies to dismantle racism within the institution, according to Jacque Little, assistant director of housing and residence life.
Crossroads has developed an intensive three-phase process to train teams on how to dismantle systemic racism in institutional structures.
Each of the three phases, which build on each other, lasts about three to six months, and the entire training process usually takes about 12- 18 months.
After completion, members are able to use their skills at leading their institution toward anti-racist programming.
"The purpose of STARS is to get people involved and working against systemic racism," said Little.
"Most of us don't even realize how they are affected by it, and we are taking a look at things that are usually not talked about.
"However, it is a slow and ongoing process."
The organization will examine each of the manifestations of racism, individual, institutional and cultural, along with the effects on white and ethnic communities.
"There are six stages of understanding systemic racism," said Little.
Religious, social and political perspectives will be viewed with the goal of dismantling systemic racism within institutions and in larger society.
For more information on joining the STARS team contact Little, Mary Oleksy, director of housing and residence life, or Dr. Bobby Vaughn.
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