A blog reflection by Joe Levin-Manning, Graduate Coordinator for LGBTQ Programs

One thing I think we need to see and hear more of is people feeling uncomfortable. While there is a time and a place for the principle of “safe space” it has now become somewhat of a crutch to not have to face challenging issues. I will acknowledge that my introduction to this idea was through this concept of Brave Space (that is hyperlinked, so please check the article out). Last year’s theme for Critical Social Justice introduced this topic to the UMBC community and offered a social justice lens and I hope to take this a little further and throw a little Jewish spin on it as well.

In Judaism we have these things called Torah, Mishnah, and Talmud. Everything talked about in these three books is not always cut and dry. One of the things the Talmud specifically is known for is the debate that occurs between the different rabbis. Even several thousand years ago the rabbis knew that in order to grow you must be challenged. I remember talking with a colleague about studying texts and they said they missed the buzz of a Beit Midrash, a room where people study and struggle with text. Then, I wondered why have we become so content with making everyone pacified, instead of asking someone to acknowledge their bigotry and evolve.

We have begun to fall into a trap of believing that all spaces must be safe spaces. This is a very dangerous trap. This misuse of safe space weakens the understanding of where the need for a safe space came from. If left unchecked more and more people will feel ostracized and shamed any time they learn they offended someone. There is a similar issue with the idea of political correctness. It is a faulty attempt at trying to make people feel better by creating “appropriate language” to put people into boxes and not feel guilty about it. The problem here is that we are trying to equate someone’s identity with boxes and the tension that ensues is electric. 

In Judaism we have this principle called lashon hara (evil tongue). What this basically means is that we are not to speak ill of another person. This principle does not differentiate rumors from the truth, you are to never speak ill of another person. At first this may seem as if we have to ignore the faults that others have. I disagree. I believe is actually charging us all to do our part in being investing in bettering our community by trying to strengthen all the members of it. By talking about someone behind their back we prevent them from having the opportunity to learn. No, not everyone wants to learn or better themselves, but some do. You might be surprised by the fact that some people have good intentions and just did not know how to express themselves. Do not let them become Elphaba, someone who unintentionally caused harm by attempting to do good. Someone who almost completely lost faith in acts of loving kindness.

The goal of most educational institutions is to produce graduates that will become productive members of society. In ancient Greek and Roman societies, being a productive member of society meant that you were involved in the public discourse. (I do acknowledge that these debates/political processes did prohibit certain groups from participating, namely women and slaves.) However there was such an emphasis placed on being a part of your community that there were consequences for something like not voting.

While I am not advocating for whipping those who chose not to exercise their right to vote, what I am saying is that we need to engage more in public discourse. Challenging systems that are not fair to others. Being okay with being uncomfortable because that is how we learn. Something the most important question to ask is not “how did this happen?”, it is “why did this happen?” Once we understand why, we can begin to challenge it and fix it.

To bring this topic home let’s look at Baltimore. Now more than ever we need to revel in our discomfort and tackle these issues in our community. In order to affect change we have to take this discomfort we feel and create an opportunity for productivity. This practice will allow us to rebuild our community from the inside, to tackle the discrimination and oppression that exists in our community. The theme for Critical Social Justice this year, Baltimore 365, aims to do just that. We hope that by bringing in people that are doing this valuable work year round we can keep this conversation elevated in all our lives and keep you inspired you for action. 

Adapted from: Musings by Joe

A blog reflection written by Women’s Center staff member Kayla Smith. 

Society tells us that women are too sensitive. We’re crazy emotional creatures who are fragile and people need to tiptoe around us and our sensitive flower petal feelings. Because of this stereotype, I spend a lot of time unpacking my issues with certain comments, blog posts, statements and phrases. Is something truly offensive or am I just being a baby? Is something harmful or am I overreacting?

Recently, I attended the first soccer game of the season here at UMBC. I’m not typically a big sports person but I really like sporting events because of the sense of community, which is especially important at UMBC since we’re often seen as lacking in the school spirit department.

I tend to forget how often sports fans rely on sexism and homophobia in their heckling. While I’m framing my experience in the context of UMBC, no sports game is absent of these things. Unfortunately, it seems to be a part of the culture as a whole because every time without fail every time I go to any type of game I end up having this conversation with a stranger:

Expressive gentleman sitting behind me: “HEY [insert number of player here] YOU SUCK AND YOUR MOTHER IS A WHORE.”

Me (startled): “That’s so mean geez why would you say that?”

Man (with feeling): “It’s a sporting event. Get used to it”

So it goes. 

For some reason I thought maybe it would be different this time, but I was disappointed — though perhaps not surprised — when I was proven wrong less than twenty minutes into the game.  From a few bleachers over I hear:

“HEY! You run like a fairy!” (Fairy?! Are we still using that? What year is this? I didn’t even know that was still a slur of choice.)

And it continued like that for the rest of the game even after joining Lot 17, the unofficial supporters group for the UMBC Men’s Varsity Soccer team. Here are a few more comments:

“Steven shaves his legs!” (Wouldn’t this make him more aerodynamic or something? This could be a good thing.)

“YOU HAVE A VAGINA!” (Do you have any idea how strong vaginas are?)

“Black lives matter! Get more black people on the field!“ (Shouted mockingly even though there were a significant amount of black players on the field…? ಠ_ಠ)

Sigh.

From sexism, to homophobia, to toxic masculinity to racism. All within the span of just a few minutes! Not exactly the safest space for a queer black woman, like me, to be in.

The first couple times I heard these comments I turned to those sitting near me and tried to express my concerns with the problematic nature of the heckles coming from other sports fans. But no one around me really seemed to care, or at least I was the only one to speak up. The overwhelming response was the typical “That’s just sports.” 

“You play ball like a girl!” A quintessential sports jeer rooted in sexism and toxic masculinity.

I’m not shy, and I’m more than willing to speak up when I hear something offensive or upsetting. But when no one else supports me or even acknowledges that there’s a problem it makes me start to wonder if I’m the only one noticing that there’s rampant sexism, homophobia, and racism. I feel silenced and alienated from my peers. It makes me feel like that sense of community that I came to the game for is gone.

As much fun as I was having, it was hard to truly enjoy the game and the atmosphere because almost every comment seemed to follow the same line of thinking. “If I feminize you, liken you to a woman, or attack your manhood, you are bad at sports.” Comparing male athletes to women in a derogatory way reinforces negative stereotypes and equates masculinity with strength and athleticism.

Instead of alienating women, LGBTQIA students, and students of color, we should be building a better more inclusive fan base. There are a lot of things some students did right! The “Where my dogs at?” chants and the spirit fingers whenever there was a penalty kick were definitely highlights of my Lot 17 experience. The crowd demonstrated that there are ways to have fun and effective chants, cheers (and jeers) that don’t rely on denigrating marginalized groups. So I know we can do better.

I want to keep attending the soccer games with my friends and I want to continue supporting our teams. But it’s hard to feel included and part of the community if your peers are very loudly letting you know that your kind isn’t wanted. With inclusivity becoming more of a prominent priority for UMBC, it would be in everyone’s best interest to do what we can do to make this campus a better environment for all of its students.

To combat homophobia in sports there’s the You Can Play campaign, which UMBC currently participates in. (awesome!)

Rebuilding Manhood (a Women’s Center curriculum-based program)  brings together self-identified men as they discuss toxic masculinity, gender norms, and how the patriarchy plays into their daily lives. (applications are closed now but consider applying in the spring!)

 A reflection written by Jess Myers, Women’s Center Director

The last time I passed by this wall was in February 2015. Before the murder of Freddie Gray. Before the Baltimore Uprisings. Before… I don’t remember what was on this wall, if anything. But walking down Greenmount Avenue yesterday afternoon on my way to visit the Monument Quilt‘s studio, I came to a full stop as the mural came to view.

It’s beautiful. And sad. And deeply powerful. It is activism. Baltimore Is Rising.

As we’ve been planning Critical Social Justice and immersing ourselves in its theme of Baltimore 365, I often come into the Women’s Center or to Critical Social Justice planning team meetings with more questions than I have answers. Will we do this right? Will we honor Baltimore in the way it needs to be? Will we respect its people in the way that they — we deserve? Knowing we can never cover all the issues, whose voice, whose experience, whose story will go untold?

I love Baltimore. Baltimore is my home. It is my heart. This city is my roots and the roots of my family.

But since the uprisings, I wonder if Baltimore is mine to claim? Who is Baltimore? Am I Baltimore?

While I only live 2.6 miles away from this location at the cross streets of Greenmount and Oliver, my home in Baltimore feels miles and miles away. My reality from the white gentrified neighborhood of Canton isn’t the reality of the Oliver neighborhood or Sandtown or Cherry Hill. I am only a guest in these neighborhoods. The issues and experiences of Baltimore are vast and segregated. Racial and socioeconomic injustice is real – I see it but it is not my lived experience.

I am Baltimore and I am not Baltimore. I’m seeking how to navigate this complicated reality. How do I use my voice? How do I use my privileged identities in a positive way? How will I demonstrate my love for Baltimore in a way that builds bridges with others in our community and is fundamentally invested in our mutual liberation?

I am eager to engage with the UMBC community as we delve into what Baltimore 365 means for us. I doubt all my questions will be answered but I am ready for the difficult dialogues, the chance to create brave spaces, and be in community together with others.

How will we speak out?

This fall’s Critical Social Justice theme is Baltimore 365. We’re excited for the events that will be happening on campus during the week of October 19th… but why wait?! We’re encouraging UMBC community members to engage with and volunteer in Baltimore City at the 4th annual Project Homeless Connect. This city-wide resource fair provides on-the-spot services for thousands of members of the homeless community.

Next Steps:

• Learn more about Project Homeless Connect at their website. Did you know that last year’s event supported 1,450 people experiencing homelessness or poverty received services on that day? Check out the 2014 post-event summary here. 
• Attend UMBC’s Learn & Register event on Friday, 9/11 at 3:30pm in Commons 332. It’s not a mandatory orientation but this is a great way to learn more about the initiative, meet other UMBC students and staff who are going, learn how to get there via UMBC shuttle, and Register for a timeslot.  Let others know you’re going or invite them via this Facebook event! 
• Register to volunteer! Volunteer shifts are needed on September 23rd and 24th.
• Learn about the issues. Here’s some good places to start your research and learn more:
  • What is homelessness? 
  • Check out the issues at Heath Care for the Homeless Inc. 
  • Read about the razing of Baltimore’s homeless encampments (opinion piece)
  • On Baltimore’s vacant houses – a perspective from The Atlantic. 
  • Learn more about YES Drop-In Center – Baltimore City’s first and only drop-in center for homeless youth.
  • This is not an exhaustive list! What resources do you recommend? Let us know and we’ll add them! 

Also don’t forget you can participate in more extended service-learning opportunities in Baltimore City through the Shriver Center. Check out potential sites and connect with the Shriver Center before September 25th to sign up for PRAC 096. 

Get to know the Women’s Center’s new team of staff and interns!

Women’s Center Staff 2015-16

Meagé Clements (she/her)
Hi! My name is Meagé, and I am a new staff member in the Women’s Center. I am currently a senior studying Psychology and Social Work, as well as a member of UMBC’s Honors College. I am a social work intern at Delrey School, where I will be working with children and adolescents with cerebral palsy, among other physical and intellectual disabilities. After college, I hope to earn my MSW and find a career where I can help marginalized and oppressed people thrive in our society. In addition to being a staff member in UMBC’s Women’s Center, I am a member of Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority Inc. In my spare time, I enjoy yoga, reading, listening to music and creative writing. This semester, I am excited to learn and become more involved in the efforts of the Women’s Center. If you happen to see me in the Women’s Center or around campus, feel free to say hello! I am looking forward to meeting new people and engaging in some thoughtful dialogues!

Carrie Cleveland (she/her)
My name is Carrie. I am BEYOND excited to be starting my last year at UMBC. I will graduate in May with a degree in social work after being in college for ten years. Yep. That is NOT a typo. Ten FREAKING years. See, I have three daughters and they keep me incredibly busy and because of that I decided that part time was the way to be. I think we will all be doing a happy dance when I graduate.

Beyond that, I am involved with the BreakingGround initiative on campus as a member of the Community Program Grant Committee. I also am a member of the Leadership Advisory Committee. I am also super proud to be a Return Women’s Scholar. It was my membership in that group that first brought me to the Women’s Center and that has been such a source of support for me as I took the long and windy road to graduation. Other that that, I am a wife, a friend, a chick from New Jersey, a lover off all things pop culture and a huge fan of They Might Be Giants.

Julia Gottlieb (she/her)
Hey there! I’m Julia, and I’m a new student staff member at the Women’s Center. I’m interning with the Women’s Center through the GWST Department, and I couldn’t be more excited to dive in. I realized that I wanted to pursue Gender & Women’s Studies as a major three years ago after overhearing a conversation in which two people victim-blamed and shamed women for choosing to get abortions. Looking back, I felt so angry and defensive of women, which made me realize that this was an issue I cared deeply about and needed to investigate further. The Women’s Center is the perfect way to translate my passion for feminism and social justice into a tangible job that challenges me to think critically and to push myself–all while in pursuit of greater social and political change through activism.

I’m a senior majoring in Gender & Women’s Studies and minoring in Critical Sexuality Studies. I’m also a co-leader for Women Involved in Learning and Leadership (WILL) and I’m pumped for the new semester! Singing and listening to music are by far my favorite things to do; I took piano lessons for ten years and have been singing all my life. My favorite artists currently are Lianne la Havas and Alabama Shakes. If you see me feel free to say hello (and tell me what music you’re into)!

MJ Jalloh-Jamboria (they/them)
Hey! I’m MJ Jalloh-Jamboria.  I am currently a Gender/Women Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies (Pathology) double major. My minor is Critical Sexuality. This is my second year at UMBC and my first year as a student stuff member here at the Women’s Center. In addition to that, I am the Director of Events of the Council of Majors/Minors. Finally, I am the Music Director of UMBC’s newest a Capella group, the Culture Chords. I know it may sound like a lot but I enjoy staying busy and contributing to the UMBC community!

My favorite thing to do, besides singing and eating, is to look at how my identities come into play as I interact with the world around me. As a fat, non-binary, first generation West African Immigrant, Muslim person, I have a lot to think about!

Hi! My name is Kayla Smith. I’m a pre-law junior majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing in health education. I’m a third semester peer health educator with a special interest in sexual health and I’m Vice President of the Mock-Trial team wherein I act as both an attorney and a witness. I’m really bad at introductory type things (even in the age of online dating, Facebook, and sure lets say Myspace). The words “About me” or “tell us about yourself!” have always been really intimidating, so I’m going to take a page out of past Women’s Center staff member, Amelia Meman’s book, and adopt the bullet point system.

• I identify as Queer (Ask what I mean by that!). I’m West Indian.
• My top five favorite things are: Glitter, wind chimes, fairy lights, bubbles, and miniature things (especially miniature food.)
• My favorite music genre is instrumental progressive metal.
• I speak french fluently (and I need someone to speak french with!)
• My favorite show is Criminal Minds (Spencer Reid is my boyfriend.)
• I have a rabbit names Lazarus (No he has never died)

Daniel Willey (he/him) 
Hey everyone! My name is Dan and I am a junior GWST major. I joined the Women’s Center staff last year and I am so excited to be back again as the senior staff member. You’ll see me around a lot because I never actually leave the Center. I am the peer facilitator for Spectrum and Rebuilding Manhood, and I’m very involved with the LGBTQIA+ community here. I love answering questions! If you want to have a discussion about or have questions about gender, sexuality, sexual health, polyamory, fiber crafts, cats, or Steven Universe, I’m your guy! I live by the idea that everyone has the capacity for good and every interaction can be a learning moment. Being at the Women’s Center feels like not only a home away from home, but the place where I have learned how to be the best version of me. I really hope the Center can be these things for everyone, and I do my best to facilitate that here. If you need anything, please ask! I’m very excited to meet you all.

Megan Tagle Adams, Coordinator (she/her)
I’m an unapologetic feminist and woman of color. I’m not your model minority. I’m an introvert. I’m not always angry. I’m Team Nicki. I’m a cat lady. I’m a queer femme. I’m not ashamed of my love of boy bands. I’m an advocate for critical social justice. I’m a picky eater. I’m not a fan of Maryland’s humidity. I’m looking forward to another great year at the Women’s Center! 

Jess Myers, Director (she/her)
Wow-wee, where do I begin?! Today I logged into my LinkedIn account because I got an alert that someone was looking at my profile… who was checking me out?! I had to know. Long story short, I found myself skimming through my profile and was alerted to the fact that I have been Director of the Women’s Center at UMBC for 4 years and 6 months. How lucky am I?! I have learned and grown as a professional, as a feminist, and as a person so much since I first arrived here at UMBC. I have gotten to work with some of UMBC’s brightest and most courageous students. I’ve learned how to insert gifs into emails and how to tweet on the Twitter. I’ve been challenged and held accountable to expand my notions of feminism beyond “white feminism” and to boldly live out my social justice values in a critical way. Moreover, I get to work in a place where I am authentically me.

I love being silly. I relish in the opportunity to use Leslie Knope gifs as a mode of communication. I identify as a queer lesbian and deserve medals for my fierceness in spin class. I approach my work from my collegiate background in social work and identify as a student affairs professional. I’ve lived in Washington, D.C., Kingston, Jamaica, and Fort Collins, Colorado but Baltimore is my hometown. It is a city that forever is rooted in my heart and very being. I also really love my introduction from last year and want to share it again (I’m a big fan of also not recreating the wheel!). You’ll find me on here most often blogging through my UMBC Women Who Rocks series and other Women’s Center confessions I like to make public. Basically and most importantly, I love my job… I’m looking forward to a year full of challenges, successes, and learning opportunities!

Few college graduates can claim to have had the experience my fellow staff and I have shared while with the Women’s Center. Our jobs have been many things: one part employee, one part student, one part teacher, one part social justice programmer, one part artist, one part writer, one part friend, one part killjoy. I can’t speak for everybody, but I know I was able to work from many different angles–something I’ve always wanted in a job–and I was guided by my own passion for feminism and social justice. With the Women’s Center, I have gained quite a bit of insight into working with a professional social justice organization.

This is where I’m going to talk about what I’ve gained from my time with the Women’s Center.

I’m not crying or anything about it being my last day…

Working at the Women’s Center you gain a lot of different skills that become increasingly useful as you approach graduation and begin to enter the “real world,” as we so forebodingly call it (as if college is a wholly separate fantasy world where our responsibilities don’t exist). Here are a few of the most valuable things I’ve learned about, and that I’ve been reflecting on as I count down to my last day working at the Center.

Professional experience

First and foremost, the Women’s Center is a real live university department with an office and official logo and letterheads and everything. Working for the Center meant working in a professional space and conducting myself in a professional manner. We have tons of fun in the office, but we also work hard to get things done on campus. I would attend meetings with campus staff, write official copy for various publications, and (try to) conduct myself with the poise and responsibility of someone who wanted to represent the Women’s Center in the best way possible.

Vincent Adultman, or three children stacked on top of each other pretending to be an adult person, from Bojack Horseman.

Before I started at the Center, I took for granted what “professional experience” meant and how important it is; I thought I would simply enter the state of professionalism once I got a real job and made real money and had a real mortgage with a real wife and kids and a real white picket fence. Like a college student caterpillar becoming a business butterfly through the phenomenon of career chrysalis. No, professional experience is something truly important to new graduates out there, especially those who haven’t had as much time working in an office setting. Understanding how to represent your organization well and being familiar with the politics of professional life, whether that means comporting your language for student affairs or not wearing the boxers you slept in last night to work the next morning, can be crucial as you enter the professional world.   

Research

Sometimes I imagine that the writing and research you do in college goes away once you get your dream job. As if you will become Miranda Priestly and just have a vision of what you want, and then some poor highly-skilled people will work all night to make your vision come into reality. Nope, sorry (or maybe that it is your reality… then you can stop reading). At the Women’s Center, research and writing are at the backbone of what we do.

The plainest function of the Women’s Center is to make UMBC a better place for women and other minority students (for a more eloquent mission statement, go here); in operationalizing this mission, we have to continually make arguments, and we rely on research–sometimes our own–to justify them. For example, people know that sexual assault on college campuses is a big deal, but HOW and WHY do they know that? Somebody who was assumedly concerned about the welfare of sexual assault survivors on campus, raising awareness about this issue, and curbing rape culture decided to conduct some research. Now we have their work to thank for Take Back the Night, the Clothesline Project, and many of the other activist projects that the Women’s Center has taken the lead in planning. The Women’s Center’s own director, Jess Myers, conducted research about online anti-sexual assault activism.

The Women’s Center lives up to the expectations that are put upon any department under the umbrella of a “research university,” like UMBC. We encourage and advance research, and even do our own. By partnering with other departments, the Women’s Center is able to help promote student research, which is what happened to me. Working with both the Gender and Women’s Studies Department and Megan Tagle Adams at the Center, I was able to conduct original research and present it at URCAD. Independent research is an incredibly important part of being a UMBC student and, if you’re interested in going on to graduate school, it is integral.

Leadership skills

One of the most important things that I’ve learned with the Women’s Center is how to be a good leader. None of us come to leadership from the same angle. Some of us are the ones who can stand on stage and rouse the crowd. Some of us are the ones who work hard to develop an idea into reality. Some of us just want to stimulate a conversation by listening and asking questions. No matter how you come at leadership, it is important to know that anyone can do it. It doesn’t take a cult of personality or a penchant for fine Italian pantsuits–it just takes you. Whether it’s through the mentorships with the best bosses in the world, Jess and Megan, or through the independence you are allowed while working on your own project, when you’re working with the Women’s Center, you learn so much about yourself as a leader, a team player, and how you can be better.

I think the Women’s Center is incredibly successful at encouraging what I’m going to call “responsible leadership”–a leadership that is founded on respect for others and social justice. We lead by listening and reflecting. We lead through solidarity among differences. We lead through attention to the power inequities that affect our relationships. We lead because we care and are passionate about positive social change. I am proud to have come out of the Women’s Center, not only a campus leader, but one that is thoughtful, sensitive, and ready to listen.      

It’s not just that I’ve grown–it’s that I’ve been able to help my colleagues grow, as well. The staff at the Women’s Center is united in supporting one another and lifting each other up. As such, we are expected to do our best and push each other to be better. Coming into the Women’s Center, I knew I wanted to do big things on our campus, but I didn’t know how to make those things happen or where to even start. It was only by working with the Women’s Center as a team that we were able to make Critical Social Justice the important and sustainable initiative that it is today. I look back on the impact that CSJ has made with pride. I have affected change at UMBC, and the future looks bright. When I look back at the teamwork that was put into the program, it only makes everything feel so much more powerful.

Alright, this is where I’m going to get kind of abstract and very unapologetically sentimental.

I think the most important thing about my time with the Women’s Center, however, is that it was where I met my UMBC family. Some of my colleagues might see it differently, but I’m always inclined to understand relationships through kinship. See, my biological family is small. We’re just three people, so we have this thing where our friends become our family. For the longest time, I have had aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, cousins who are nowhere near related to me–we just love each other, and that’s enough. That same kinship that comes so easily between myself and my big extended family, is also sown among us at the Women’s Center. I’ve cried in front of most of the Women’s Center staff–and not the cute cry. It’s that big, ball of emotion weighing down on your throat, gaggy cry. I’ve also laughed so hard that I had big warm happy tears dribble down my cheeks. The Women’s Center staff has cried together, laughed together, seen each other at our worst, at our best, and at our strangest. We’ve allowed a truly special amount of vulnerability between each other. We work hard to build each other up, and we also trust each other to challenge one another when we need it. It’s a powerful dynamic that we share, and it’s nothing less than a family of feminists and activists intent on supporting one another in the most radically caring ways.

I was going to end this blog post–my last blog post–with something like, “I don’t know what I would have done without the Women’s Center…” but I find it’s near impossible to even think about my life without the Women’s Center in it, because all of my experiences with the Center seem to be firmly rooted in my heart and my mind. I have been profoundly changed and inspired with this amazing group of people and their transformative ideas for the future.
Maybe there’s everything left to say. I could go on and on on about the Women’s Center for forever. I often do if you let me. But all I can think to end this post with is a simple thank you to the Women’s Center staff who’ve shared two of the most unforgettable years of my life. Thank you for being you and sharing in this phenomenal journey.

Current and future Women’s Center staff: May your days be filled with white male tears and the promise of feminist futures!

Take a look at all the events lined up for Critical Social Justice: Baltimore 365!

October 19th | Monday

Baltimore 101: Why Baltimore Matters – 12PM to 1PM in Commons 329 – Who are we talking about when we talk about Baltimore? Led by Dr. Jodi Kelber-Kaye.

Dialogue with Delegate Washington: LGBTQ Youth Homelessness – 7PM to 8:30PM in Commons 329 – Maryland State Delegate Mary Washington will speak about LGBTQ youth homelessness in Baltimore, including a brief overview of the history of LGBTQ rights in Maryland, where things stand now, and how you can get involved. Directly following this conversation there will be a small reception. Event sponsored by: Student Life’s Mosaic: Center for Culture and Diversity. 

October 20th | Tuesday

Baltimore in Action: Always Rising Keynote Event – Doors open at 6:30PM, keynote begins at 7PM in the UC Ballroom – Teach-in panel moderated by radio host Marc Steiner featuring Baltimore social justice activists: Rev. Dr. Heber Brown, III, faith-based activist and community organizer; Dr. Marisela B. Gomez, public health advocate and author; Tawanda Jones, activist and sister of Tyrone West; Jacqueline Robarge, founder of Power Inside; Kwame Rose, social activist and hip-hop artist. Meet-and-greet reception with the speakers will follow the keynote.

October 22nd | Thursday

Vines, Rhymes, & Headlines: Telling the Story of Baltimore – 12PM to 1PM on Commons Main Street – Discussion with Karen Houppert, author and editor-in-chief of Baltimore City Paper. Moderated by Professor Deborah Rudacille (English). 12PM to 2PM – Multimedia exhibit exploring Baltimore as captured through the mainstream media – and the tweets, photos, music, and new media pushing back. Event sponsored by: the Women’s Center. 

From Belief to Action: An Interfaith Dialogue – 5PM to 6:30PM on Commons Main Street – Moderated roundtable discussion with religious and spiritual leaders engaged in social justice activism in Baltimore followed by a facilitated audience conversation. Panelists will highlight the many ways that their religious and spiritual beliefs and practices inform and propel their work towards justice and equality. Event sponsored by: Student Life’s Mosaic: Center for Culture and Diversity. 

October 23rd | Friday

How to Talk to Kids about “-Isms” – 10AM to 11AM in the Women’s Center – Roundtable discussion about the challenges and best practices for introducing children to social justice. Invited panelists include: Lisa Gray, Dr. Jodi Kelber-Kaye, and Dr. Marcela Sarmiento Mellinger. Event sponsored by: the Women’s Center. 

Walking Tour of a Baltimore Neighborhood – 12:30PM to 3PM, meet at Commons & Park bus stop – Join Dr. Kate Drabinski from GWST for a 90-minute walking tour that will take us from the UMBC shuttle stop at MLK and Pratt, into Pigtown, and back across MLK for a tour of the Westside. Free tickets available at the CIC desk from September 28th through October 21st.

If your department or organization is planning a program this fall semester that reflects the spirit of Critical Social Justice: Baltimore 365, let us know at womens.center@umbc.edu!

More details and events will be announced leading up to CSJ: Baltimore 365, so like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and use the hashtag #CSJ365 to keep up-to-date with the latest news!

* All events are free and open to the public.

** Contact womens.center@umbc.edu if you need special accommodations. 

The Critical Social Justice initiative is coordinated by the Women’s Center with Student Life’s Mosaic: Center for Culture and Diversity.