THE MIRROR

Incorporated 1977

Tommy Coppola Editor-in-Chief

Brooke Lathe, Executive Editor Max Limric Managing Editor

Julian Nazario, Copy

Editors

Editor

Julian Nazario, Head News

Samantha Russell, Assistant News

Kathleen Morris, Assistant News

Liz Morin, Opinion

Abigail White Head Vine

Jacqui Rigazio, Assistant Vine

Ryan Marquardt Head Sports

William McGuire, Assistant Sports

Elizabeth McLaughlin, Coffee Break

Business Department

Email: info@fairfieldmirror.com

William McGuire, Chief Financial Officer

Advisor Tommy Xie

Contact Information

Fairfield University

1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824

General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com

The Mirror is the recognized student newspaper of Fairfield University. Opinions and ideas expressed herein are those of the individual student authors, and not those of Fairfield University or its Board of Trustees

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 delivered by Provost Christine Siegel, Ph.D.

An extensive takeaway from Whitehead’s lecture reminded us that the term “stay woke” is not new. In fact, Dr. King utilized its meaning throughout his own period of social and racial activism. Whitehead believes that being woke in the moment, or having knowledge about the things happening around you, is one of the most important steps towards change.

She asked her audience, “Who are we called to be in this moment? How do we go about the business of doing the work that we have been called to do?”

The aspect of fighting an issue larger than ourselves, and using the stories of yesterday and today to do so, remained another key element throughout her discussion and for actions of the future.

Undeniable passion spilled out of the night’s speaker. She deeply cared about the issues she spoke about, and her goal of extending that passion to her audience could not have been more clear. Furthermore, she managed to bring her audience to a state of critical thought, which introduced issues otherwise undiscussed, or not cared about.

Sophomore student Jacqueline Pozzulo expressed how she personally was inspired by the convocation.

“I think it was a good choice to have [Whitehead] present, especially since we are mostly an all-white campus. It reminds us that there is still so much to do and that it all starts with us.”

Whitehead smoothly shifted her lecture to the Black Lives Matter movement, specifically in contrast to the notion of Black values. She brought to attention the period of slavery, in which Black bodies were traded for resources and currency, yet still not respected as human beings.

“Black lives have always been valued, even if they do not matter,” she said. America spends more money on jails to hold them in than on schools to educate them. Black folks are continuously being neglected, and the time has arrived when a decision to push back must be made.

Whitehead wrapped up her speech by examining the three simple reparations that Black people have historically requested. These three things were proposed by the freed slaves in 1865, then again in 1998 and again in 2018. Educational opportunities for their children, a remedied wage gap and fixed-up neighborhood conditions compose these three desires. Each time they have been requested, however, they have also been rejected.

How can we erase this gap, this disparity, this double consciousness that is unfortunately all too common? What are we called to be?

Whitehead underscored persistence, courage, and the belief that “the end is something bigger than ourselves,” to establish meaningful change.

“Are you willing to push until change happens? Are you willing to look around at what is happening right where you are and be the change?” she asked. “I argue that we don’t need any more Dr. Kings, we don’t need any more Ghandis …we need to have leaders in every community.”

The courage to stand up for something when nobody else will is crucial. The desire to take the next step even if you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel is also crucial. Whitehead pleaded emphasized the need for facilitation.

“It’s about taking students out beyond the campus, into the deep, ethnographic world, connecting with the community,” she said. She urged campuses to pull their students out from within the borders of what they know, and into the communities of what they do not.

Another question concerned the facets and layers of reparations, in which Whitehead declared that we must look at the specific places where we can begin to help, such as educational opportunities, picking up trash or developing after-school programs for Black students. Through these small steps, we can bridge a long-term transformation. This issue is no longer about a “quick fix.” Whitehead pushed the vitality of systemic change.

A particular question, however, sparked a discussion on white responsibility. How can a white person make true, honest work in closing these apparent disparities?

For Whitehead, the answer is simple: “Bend your privilege!”

She prompts white folks to open spaces for the oppressed, and then “get out of the way.” with her audience to see themselves beyond this moment, a moment not only where change is possible but exists.

“It means giving up the power so that other people can step into the light,” she said. Essentially, those with white privilege are called to take the power and attention they command but use it to call attention to more deep-rooted problems.

Whitehead is the type of leader in which she discussed. In the path carved by Dr. King, she bends herself toward justice.

After her lecture, the event transitioned into a question-and-answer session which encouraged live questions from the audience. Topics of racial conversation and reparations were touched upon in-depth, particularly those regarding the aspect of “how”.

When asked how to encourage enough conversations outside of a college campus, Whitehead

Fairfield University’s President Mark Nemec Ph.D. initially welcomed the night’s audience via video, and Associate Professor of History Sunil Purushotham followed him, both with words about the campus’ duty to “infinite hope and truth,” as well as to challenge power.

“We are committed to greater good,” conveyed Nemec.

And, Whitehead is confident that our society can someday reach that change. Through looking towards her past counterparts of Dr. King, Harriet Tubman, or Frederick Douglass, justice can be found.

“I believe that that place exists,” she said. “Even if we don’t get there, somebody is coming after us as we lift and climb–are you ready to step into that tomorrow with me?”