Welcome to the Office of Equity, Social Justice and Multicultural Education!
For more information and special accomodations at our in person and or virtual events, please reach out to Adriana Garcia and or call at 408-864-5636, Mondays and Wednesdays 9am-3pm or reach out toDSPS at this email
The Equity Office is part of De Anza's E
quity and Engagement Division. We are committed to the college's Student Equity Plan for 2019-2022.
Mission Statement
The Office of Equity, Social Justice and Multicultural Education promotes — through programs and services — an academic, cultural and social environment that provides equity, social justice and academic success for all members of the De Anza College campus community. It supports the district and college missions, which consider diversity an essential component of student education in the 21st century.
The Equity Office takes this charge seriously. We have expanded our mission of fostering a climate of healthy diversity that values individual and group differences and respects the perspectives of others by working to eliminate institutional oppression or barriers that perpetuate inequity, injustice, and mono-cultural education.
Check out the events at the Women's, Gender and Sexuality Center. For information related to the Women, Gender and Sexuality Center, please reach out to Roseanne Quinn.
If you are interested in working with the affinity groups, please reach out BFSA, APASA, DALA and the LGBTQ Affinity Group and the Land Acknowledgment working committee, and Filipinx Studies.
Fall 2022 Save the Dates
Fall Flex Day Workshop Presentation Invitation
A District Flex Day proposal was submitted for a workshop on the topic of Centering Love and Inclusion in our Equity Work and Practice. The first half of the proposed workshop will include lightning talks from some of
our learning community equity practitioners and the second half will be a presentation
from Dr. Sheena Mason (pictured below) about elevating Unity, Healing, and Reconciliation in our equity work - topics that are explored in her recently released book entitled
Theory of Racelessness: A Case for Antirace(ism). So far, confirmed lightning talks for this proposed session include (with more to
come after 9/7/2022):
- Lita Kurth, De Anza College English Department Part-Time Faculty: Mistakes, Forgiveness, and Generosity
- Tabia Lee, De Anza College Faculty Director for the Office of Equity, Social Justice,
and Multicultural Education: Navigating Higher Education Spaces as a Racialized Black Woman
- Donna Frankel, Foothill College Dance Department Part-Time Faculty: An Invitation to Dance: Centering Love and Inclusion
If you would like to contribute a lightning talk, learn more about the Proposed Flex Day Workshop.
Dr. Sheena Mason, President and Co-Founder Theory of Racelessness
"If I take your race away, and there you are, all strung out. And all you got is your
little self, and what is that? What are you without racism? Are you any good? Are
you still strong? Are you still smart? Do you still like yourself? I mean, these are
the questions. Part of it is, 'Yes, the victim. How terrible it has been for black
people.' I'm not a victim. I refuse to be one," Toni Morrison
"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced," James Baldwin
Racelessness Affinity Group Launching AY 22-23
In addition to launching the TOGETHER learning community rooted in the Theory of Racelessness
that is open to faculty and classified professionals on both campuses, I am launching
a Racelessness Affinity Group. Here is some information about the group for your consideration:
The Racelessness Affinity Group seeks to decolonize imaginations and to create spaces
where liberation from race(ism) becomes a possibility. We understand that race and
racism are one and the same. Together, we help dismantle racism, or race(ism), as
a social construct that always involves belief in the existence of race and the practice
of racialization. We seek liberation from the nefarious belief in race and consequent
engagement in race-thinking and race-talking. We believe that race concepts cannot
be reconstructed outside of racist ideology and practices because racism and race
are one and the same.
The Racelessness Affinity group aspires to and promotes the following shared values: race does not exist in nature or as a social construction; everyone is raceless; racism is the belief in race as biological or a construction; racism is not everywhere and is not the cause for every perceived "racial" disparity or negative interaction; we can overcome racism.
If you are interested in being a member of the Racelessness Affinity Group that will launch AY 22-23, please contact me (leetabia@fhda.edu).
Fall 2022 Student Equity Partners Meeting 10/20/22 from 3–5 PM
The Fall 2022 Student Equity Partners Meeting will be held on October 20, 2022 from 3–5 PM. Student Equity Partner Meetings provide space for practitioner faculty and classified professional leaders from 30 campus offices/programs/services to reflect on their equity leadership through the lens of workplace mindfulness attitudes and to collaborate and communicate about the projects and activities that center the equity plan goals and student success factors. For more information about attending this meeting, email me at: leetabia@fhda.edu and/or visit the Student Equity Partners Website (https://tinyurl.com/DAEquityPartners)
Fall 2022 Heritage Month Workgroup Meeting 10/25/22 from 3–5 PM
Welcoming and inviting all to our Fall 2022 Heritage Month Workgroup meeting on October 25, 2022. See you there from 3–5 PM on Zoom . Our workgroup is open to students, faculty, classified professionals, and all learning community members.
For more information, visit the Heritage Month Workgroup website (https://tinyurl.com/DAHeritage).
The Race in Racial Equity - What’s it to You? Workshop 11/3/22 from 12–2 PM
In AY 21-22 we started an exploration of individual and collective definitions of Equity and Equality. In AY 22-23 we are turning our attention to the race in racial equity. In this workshop we will explore: How do you define race? How do we define race? What are some ways that our individual and collective definitions of race inform and impact the ways we live our commitment to racial equity? Before the workshop, participants should review or become familiar with the following reading selection that will serve as a touchstone text in our workshop: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/race/
To attend this workshop register at: https://tinyurl.com/RaceinRacialEquity
For More Information contact: Dr. Tabia Lee, Faculty Director for the Office of Equity, Social Justice, and Multicultural Education
Black Lives Matter
Standing Against Racism Resources
May 25- National Honoring of George Floyd's 2nd Angelversary
The Office of Equity, Social Justice, and Multicultural Education joins the solidarity to offer our support and deepest condolences to the friends, family, and loved ones of the Buffalo 10 residents who lost their lives, and or were injured, while peacefully running errands to support themselves and their families.
Consistent with our values and mission of advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, we call on our entire FHDA community to come together, offer each other solace and support, and always demonstrate the values of humanity and respect to lift up every day. To stand up against racism, bigotry, and hatred and never allow senseless acts of violence happen in our community we must continue to collectively denounce and act and violence in all its ugly and horrific forms, whether it be racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, gender or otherwise.
"Let’s say their names, their lives matter:
- Roberta A. Drury, 32, who had moved to Buffalo to be with her brother, who had a bone marrow transplant
- Margus D. Morrison, 52
- Andre Mackneil, 53
- Aaron Salter, 55, a retired police officer who was working as a security guard in Top Friendly Mart grocery store. Aaron is a hero, who lost his life while attempting to stop the attacker.
- Geraldine Talley, 62
- Celestine Chaney, 65, a devoted grandmother
- Heyward Patterson, 67, a dedicated churchgoer who drove people to and from the supermarket
- Katherine Massey, 72, a community activist with a "beautiful soul", according to her sister
- Pearl Young, 77, who dedicated her Saturdays to working in a soup kitchen
- Ruth Whitfield, 86, who had just been to visit her husband in a care home
The youngest victim, store worker Zaire Goodman, 20, was released from hospital after being shot in the neck. Jennifer Warrington, 50, has also been treated and released, while Christopher Braden, 55, is in stable condition." *
*From Right To Be
Learn More - NPR, The Atlantic, The New Yorker,
Get Involved
On Campus: African American Studies, Students UMOJA, Black Faculty, Staff, Association, Men of Color, Black Student Union,
Community: Movement for BLM, White-Allies SURJ, Asian Allies _People's Movement for Justice and Liberation,
Ways To Help in this Week's Tragedies
Buffalo, New York Donate- Go Fund Me and particular to the families's wishes, Please be aware to Prevent Scams. Consider donating to FeedMore and for Mental Health Resources in partnership with Colored Girls Bike Too and Black Love Resists in the Rust Uvalde, TX NPR How to Help Uvalde and Go Fund Me Texas The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District set up a donation fund at the First State Bank of Uvalde for the families of the victims. Donations can sent by check or through Zelle, the money-transfer app, and also may be dropped in person. Donate through Zelle by sending to this email address: robbschoolmemorialfund@gmail.com *The New York Times Donations are also being collected for the funeral funds of the students who were killed, including Xavier Lopez, Jayce Luevanos, Jailah Silguero, Tess Marie Mata, Alithia Ramirez, Makenna Lee Elrod, and Nevaeh Bravo. You can also donate to the funeral fund of Irma Garcia, a fourth-grade teacher *The CutMuwekma Tribe - Call to Action
OFFICE OF EQUITY'S LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Learn - Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and Partnering Up For a Brighter Future w/POST
Donate - Muwekma Foundation and Help Restore Federal Recognition to Muwekma and COVID Relief Fund
Act - Sign the petition urging California's legislators to pass the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe resolution SJR 13 and Sign the Muwekma Letter to RESTORE FEDERAL RECOGNITION Back to the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Region
Ethnic Studies
Solidarity an Art Exhibition: Demonstrating Art with the Theme of Solidarity
*Student Led Ethnic Studies Event
June 9, 2022
1:00-4:00pm
In Person: De Anza College @ The Office of Equity, Social Justice and Multicultural Education Office (MLC 250)
JPG Flyer Below | PDF Flyer
Sponsor: Office of Equity, Social Justice and Multicultural Education
Funded by: De Anza Student Government (DASG)
Hosted by Ricardo Sanchez, Office of Equity Scholar Activist Intern. An afternoon of amazing performances and solidarity themed art pieces. Come chill and connect. Light snacks will be served.
If you would like to submit art pieces and/or perform, the requirements are:
- Must be related to the solidarity theme
- Painting, sculptures, and photos highly recommended
- Poetry and music performances encouraged
Please submit by June 7, 2022 and contact Ricky at EquityOffice@deanza.edu
For more information and special accommodations: Anthony Santa Ana santaanaanthony@fhda.edu
On-Demand Jewish Inclusion & Anti-Semitism Community Education
In Winter 2022 a virtual summit was hosted to center Jewish Inclusion at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise locally and globally. The Jewish Inclusion and Anti-Semitism Community Education Summit topics included: Defining Anti-Semitism, Protecting Freedom of Expression in the Face of Rising Intolerance, Crossing the Line 2: The New Face of Anti-Semitism on Campus, Intersectional Identities: Diverse Voices from the Jewish Community, and Forgotten Refugees: The Mass Exodus of Jews from Arab Countries and Iran in the 20th Century. We are most thankful to the community advisors and panelists who made the summit a great success!
Please visit the Summit website to review the event recordings and explore the resources to extend the learning: https://tinyurl.com/DeAnzaJewishInclusion
For more information contact: Dr. Tabia Lee, Faculty Director for the Office of Equity, Social Justice, and Multicultural Education
2021 Event Recordings
Watch some of our previous events for Equity inspiration.
- Get Paid for Being Woke: Social Justice Career Panel (Jan 21, 2021)
- Disability Justice (Jan 28, 2021)
- First Annual Sandra Diaz Nursing Professions Career Panel (April 27, 2021)
- Health Care Providers Career Panel (May 12, 2021)
- Ethnic Studies Multiracial Panel IICS by Intercultural and International Studies Division (April-May 2021)
- Then and Now: A Conversation on the History of Racism in the United States (April 6, 2021)
-
Becoming a Student-Ready Campus with Lasana Hotep (September 2021)
Districtwide Professional Development
Dr Joy DeGruy: The Conversation Continues
In April, the district held the third event in a series of conversations with Dr. Joy DeGruy to deepen our understanding of the effects of institutional racism, discrimination,
and marginalization, and steps we can take within our district to become a more equitable
learning and work environment. here is this recommended self directed study for this
event. Check out her YouTube Channel
For More Informaiton: Pat Hylan HylandPat@deanza.edu.
LibGuide
To continue exploring and studying Dr. DeGruy's work, please visit this Foothill-De Anza LibGuide: An Introduction to Dr. Joy DeGruy and Anti-Racism
For more information, please send an email to Keri Kirkpatrick kirkpatrickkeri@fhda.edu
Stop Asian Hate
- Stop AAPI Hate: You can report incidents of aggression, racial profiling, and violence here in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. The Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council created this reporting center.
- In this historic year of cultural shifts, we invite you to align to the core values of equity and social justice. We have opportunities to be upstanders and we can learn from these Educational Resources on Anti-Asian Scapegoating created by the Asian American Studies department.
- Here is a teaching guide from San Francisco State's Department of Asian American Studies and the Center for Equity and Excellence in Teaching and Learning: Teaching Days after Anti Asian Violence.
- And a reading list compiled by Vox.
- Be inspired by The Atlantic on "Why This Wave of Anti-Asian Racism Feels Different."
- Find ways to be involved with Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Atlanta chapter).
- One example, is this solidarity statement written by De Anza's African American Studies.
- See these other college resources to support this ongoing journey to Stand Against Racism, currently very present against the Black community and the Asian community but not limited to the Latinx and faith based communinties, particular to the Muslim community.
- Here is this self directed study to further our justice analysis.
We Stand by Our International Students at De Anza
- Please refer to the International Student Program website for support, direct questions and inquiries.
- Here is the latest solidarity statement for Myanmar by ISP and the Office of Equity
Equity and Justice Resources
What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!
Please see our Conceptual Framework visual, explore our website regarding Guiding Assumption and Core Values and equity resources as well as student resources during this online learning experience. Check out these webpages, too:
- Standing Against Racism – college resources to support your equity and social justice journey
- More Ways to Study Equity – additional links, tools and guides for the current civil rights landscape.
- How to be Anti-Racist in a Virtual Environment - great resource from Leading Equity LLC
Stay Connected!
All of us in the academy and in the culture as a whole are called to renew our minds if we are to transform educational institutions-and society-so that the way we live, teach, and work can reflect our joy in cultural diversity, our passion for justice, and our love of freedom.
- bell hooks, scholar
