No More Table Talk—Steps to Create Real Inclusion
If you read our recent How to Be an Ally Right Now piece, you probably saw Cultural Studies major, Chenoa Baker ‘22’s list of ways the Chatham community can advocate for change that circulated on Instagram. We asked Chenoa to expand on that list & below you’ll find her recommendations for true inclusion at Chatham.
BY CHENOA BAKER
My Chatham experience began at a table. A “seat at the table” is a metaphor often used in the academic community to symbolize someone being invited into the conversation, but a seat is insufficient and a table is only a linear way of approaching diversity. An Instagram post from @jeffsnation says, “The problem is that diversity gives people the ability to box check. I’ve always told clients, ‘Diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance, community is making it so comfortable you can dance with your eyes closed and equality is when you get a piece of the door.’”
During my first few days at Chatham, I participated in RISE orientation: eating oxtails and red beans and rice, seeing representation, playing laser tag with students, and hearing a professional conduct calls and responses that reaffirmed our Black existence, Black magic, and Black joy. In those moments, Chatham looked HBCU-like, but visions of Chatham showcasing a multicultural spectra subsided within days.
Know Your University and its History
Like many universities, Chatham’s history contains problematic elements that are still felt on campus today. Buildings and rooms on Chatham’s Shadyside campus bear the names of Andrew Mellon and Margaret Sanger, two historical figures who leave behind a fraught legacy, especially for Black students and students of color. The Mellon and Carnegie conglomerate exploited workers for monetary gain and shaped industries that have polluted many of our communities for years. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, has been criticized as racist, ableist and a supporter of Eugenics. The ghosts of this history live on Chatham’s campus whether you want to recognize them or not, and this legacy informs many of the experiences students have today: incidences of racial slurs and racially-charged interpersonal issues arise, and the 87% White faculty makes POC faculty stand out.
Ways Our Chatham Community Can Do Better
Image courtesy of Chenoa Baker
Calling all Allies, Accomplices, and Friends
Many saw my list of suggestions for allies to follow. It’s not my responsibility to educate you on why these actions are important—feel the ripples through our community and the heartstrings that are tugged. There is only one thing left to do—take action. Here are some of the places to start:
Check Your Mouth at the Door
Question what you and other community members are saying that are inherently racist. Prevent racist Halloween costumes and file reports with the Diversity and Inclusion Council.
Knowledge is Power
Urge professors to not use slurs, elevate Black voices in course material, and take the time to read Black authors. Challenge campus leaders to be more educated on Black history.
Allow Black Expression
In order to be inclusive, do cultural research to combat stereotypes about ways Black folks enjoy themselves. If someone acts, dresses, talks, and lives a certain way, do not judge them. Question why you are thinking this way and Unpack Your Privilege.
Buy Black
Hire Black Pittsburgh voices and businesses to speak and participate in on-campus events.
Image courtesy of Dr. Randi Congleton, Dean of Diversity and Inclusion
Think Twice Before Calling the Cops
Get the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (ODEI), Counseling Services, and hotlines involved before calling campus safety or police in escalated situations.
Sign, Sealed, Delivered
Add email signatures that link to Black Lives Matter and Black Therapy sources. Craft resolutions to make the Chatham community better.
Talk About It
Be committed to continually having questions about race and polices at Chatham. Think of this as an IOS update: thinking that you have arrived is a sign that you are outdated.
If You Are Invited to the Cookout, Don’t Get Too Comfortable
The tendency is that once POC recognize the allies in their corner, those same allies may try to take credit for their work and become problematic. Let’s be better than that.
Uplift the Community
Send emails to students, faculty, and staff of color to let them know you stand with them. Make sure that your sports teams, clubs, and friend groups are held accountable for problematic actions.
Whoosah
Unpacking racial trauma, white privilege, and internalized racism is hard work. Make sure to pause, practice self-care, lean on your support system, take stretch breaks, and utilize guided meditations whenever you can.
Be the Change You Wish to See
Image courtesy of Chenoa Baker
EVERYONE GETS a Piece of the Door
Open up doors of opportunity for all of our community to feel included. My plans for change include:
showing up unapologetically myself
creating a Black art history independent study
engaging in conversations around curating Black artists in the JKM Library lobby
working with the Cheryl Olkes collection, a collection of African objects from the 18th-20th century whose acquisition methods should be questioned and examined critically
making a resolution in tandem with Chatham Student Power
requesting greater support from Counseling Services for POC
checking on Black faculty members
What are you going to do to make our community better?
Thank you to Chenoa for this insightful list of actionable steps. For more information, about diversity and inclusion initiatives at Chatham, visit our website.
