From the Editors

FROM THE EDITORS

Last year, the Perspectives editorial board submitted a proposal to the AFA board of directors seeking approval for a publication redesign. The reason was multifaceted with a focus on rejuvenating the publication, making structural changes to decrease barriers to writing, increasing the diversity of voices and lived experiences represented, and moving toward a true magazine look and feel. For years, themes drove content. Many of those themes directly and indirectly resulted in entire issues pertaining to matters of concern for historically white fraternities and sororities and white individuals working in a professional capacity. The publication was not serving all of its constituents, nor achieving its full purpose. The proposal was approved and the redesign was announced last November.

This issue is a step toward a publication that does not create barriers to writing and provides an opportunity for more voices to be heard. The design introduces a combination of recurring sections and regular short features to provide space for content unbound by theme, single area of expertise, or specific type of lived experience. Each issue will include content within five sections – Features, Research, Professional Development, Lived Experience and Theory to Practice – and multiple regular short features highlighting the AFA Core Competencies, historical undertones of the fraternity/sorority experience, and more accessible means for sharing and digesting research within the field. We are thankful for the AFA Professional Development and Research committees for partnership on these short features, as well as the AFA board of directors and staff in supporting this redesign.

The cover design for this issue reflects the content included and current state of global, national, and local affairs. As we introduce this new version of Perspectives, the following pages speak to the weight of this time. This weight is experienced differently based on identities, employer, professional or volunteer role, and geographic location, yet finds commonality in the uncertainty that exists and inability to know what is to come. Our hope is the first cover design for this new version of Perspectives conveys that weight.

We also acknowledge barriers to writing can exist despite structural changes. The process of writing can be challenging, especially when writing about one’s experiences, identities, work and opinions. To write, there must be a degree of trust – trust in one’s knowledge, experience, and abilities to put thoughts into words; trust in editors to amplify your words and care for them as their own; and trust in readers that your words and experiences will be heard and valued. Writing requires courage, intentionality, time, vulnerability, security, and the belief that readers will ensure a safe space for reactions and feedback.

When trust does not exist and one does not believe this publication is a safe space for their words, experiences, identities, work and opinions, barriers emerge. From the first Fraternity Advisors’ Newsletter in 1973 to the Perspectives of today, significant work must continue to ensure the level of trust necessary for increasing access and producing a representationally diverse publication in author, voice, knowledge, and thought, exists for members of all identities, professional and/or volunteer backgrounds, and lived experiences. As we introduce this next iteration of Perspectives and strive to evolve in look, content and feel, we will continue to work toward gaining and maintaining that trust.