Each week, the White Privilege Conference and the Matrix Center for the Advancement of Social Equity and Inclusion, housed at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS), hosts a half hour radio show called Intersections Radio that features an interview with a different author, scholar, and/or speaker.
In this segment, Sherryl Weston, a faculty member at the Center for Progressive Leadership explains how her interest in social justice and multiculturalism is present through teaching Multiculturalism, Social Work Practice and Women’s Studies at the university level, as well as through her cultural competence consulting practice at Westcloud Arts and Consulting www.westcloud.org
She has a background in Special Education and various types of Social Work, including child protection, teen pregnancy prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention, disaster relief and a variety of other efforts which have helped her develop expertise related to the needs of recent immigrants from many countries.
Intersections Radio is hosted by Dr. Eddie Moore Jr., founder of the White Privilege Conference (WPC), which is held annually in cities across the United States; and Daryl Miller, who works with the WPC and other programs of the Matrix Center. The WPC is an award-winning national diversity conference that serves as a yearly opportunity to examine and explore difficult issues related to white privilege, white supremacy, and oppression, and works to dismantle systems of power, prejudice, and inequality. College students from around the country participate in the conference for academic credit.
Comments
Teaching Multiculturalism
I think this initiative is great. We were often presented one side of the story (mainstream) and lots of facts were left out because they either don't fit what the dominant group wants or these facts make them look bad. I think having the opportunity to discuss issues such as white supremacy, oppression, prejudice will raise awareness and show us that there are so many voices that we haven't had an opportunity to hear yet. These different voices are equally important to us to gain a true understanding of the underlying reasons for so many different things; and as I result, I believe it would help us figure out solutions for issues such as racism, prejudice or at least we would be able to come up with ways to miminize the pain of dealing with these issues.
Good Idea
The idea of this Interesections Radio is very important and proposes an opportunity for speaking up. This allows for people to share and address different views and perspectives on different topics. It can be difficult to keep an open mind and this allows for viewers to be be presented with different voices to account for different opinions.
Positive
I believe the radio station brings a great opportunity for individuals to embrace multiculturalism. The radio station helps individuals face their own ethnocentrism and also gives a different perspective through an ample amount of cultures. I believe their should be more radio stations in order for more voices to be heard. When more voices are heard people can relate or either speak up to dilemmas. Thus, creating positive social movements for unethical situations.
Love it!
This idea is great. I think it is one thing for people to read about multiculturalism but to hear live voices discussing it makes it more real. Adding the reality to it, I believe, will have a greater impact on the listeners because they can relate and understand that what is going on around them. This really helps people to embrace multiculturalism in a real life setting.
Great News!
I think it is an amazing idea to have an Intersections Radio that features several people who definitely teach listeners and inspires them as well. It gives people a chance to be heard and a chance to express one's opinion and thought. Also, to attack on the topic of multiculturalism will bring us together and will teach us how to deal with different cultures.
Good Intent
I think the Intersection Radio is a wonderful idea. It explores very important current topics that we can all somehow relate to. People can feel more inclined to voice their personal thoughts, as well as consider new ways to view racial issues. Although we all may not agree on all of the issues, it is very important to consider all sides. We have come a long way on the constant path to equality, but it is always important to continue in the right direction. Racism is still prevalent in today’s society and can always use more input. The more knowledge we can get from all of the vast cultures, the less ignorant we become. Many people carry racism on as part of their family’s culture, but do not even understand it themselves. Having the option to hear educated perspectives on such sensitive topics can lead to healthier ways of thinking for all of us. Not understanding people who are different from one another can leave only negative stereotypes to influence our views on others. This is a helpful strategy to guide us closer towards social justice.