The University of Wisconsin La Crosse is sponsoring the following multicultural diversity related events throughout the month of October.

1. Annual Latino/Latin American Student-Faculty Social

Presented by the Institute for Latin American Studies, the Latin American Student Association (LASO) and Centro Latino of La Crosse. Join us for an afternoon of dinner, conversation and other cultural surprises with our faculty, students and community members. Free and open to the UWL and La Crosse communities.

2. UWL Visiting Scholar To Discuss Effectiveness Of Diversity, Inclusion

The top diversity and inclusion coordinator for the Canadian province of Ontario will speak at UWL.

Christopher Stuart Taylor, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator at the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, will speak on “Diversity and Exclusion? Anti-Black Racism and the Challenges of Diversity Work” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, in 1309 Centennial Hall. Refreshments will be provided; admission is free.

Taylor will discuss theories of “diversity” and “inclusion” and how they may perpetuate anti-Black racism in North America. He argues that while diversity work is beneficial, more needs to be done to address disconnect between its ideology and practice.

Taylor says diversity work that does not focus primarily on anti-racism allows African Americans to fall through the cracks. Just because there are policies, it doesn’t mean things are working, he notes.

Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto, and a master’s and doctorate from Western University.

The talk is part of the university’s visiting scholar program and is sponsored by the UWL Department of History, College of Liberal Studies, Provost Office and Multicultural Student Services Office.

If you go—
Who: Christopher Stuart Taylor, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator at the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General
What: “Diversity and Exclusion? Anti-Black Racism and the Challenges of Diversity Work”
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14
Where: 1309 Centennial Hall
Admission: Free

3. Racism In Higher Education

A researcher at a South African University will lead a discussion at UWL on racism in higher education.

Dionne Van Reenen of the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice at the University of the Free State, South Africa, speaks on “Scrutinizing Mechanisms of Subtle Discrimination” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center–Gunning Addition. Admission is free.

Van Reenen’s talk will be followed by a panel discussion on “Institutional Racism in Education within a Global Context” featuring Christopher Stuart Taylor, Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario, Canada, who is a visiting scholar at UWL. The panel will include Tracy Littlejohn, Ho-Chunk Nation Youth Services Home School Coordinator, and UWL faculty and staff: Bethany Brent, Education Studies; Amanda Goodenough, Campus Climate; and Laurie Cooper Stoll, Sociology and Institute for Social Justice. The panel will be moderated by Richard Breaux, Ethnic and Racial Studies.

The event continues the work to bring attention to contemporary racial inequalities that began with two campus event last year, UWL Speaks on Ferguson and UWL Speaks on Race series. The panel discussion will focus on enduring racial inequalities in education within a global context.

The presentation is sponsored by the College of Liberal Studies, History Department, and Institute for Social Justice.

If you go—
Who: Dionne Van Reenen, Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice at the University of the Free State, South Africa
What: Lecture on “Scrutinizing Mechanisms of Subtle Discrimination”
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15
Panel discussion follows: “Institutional Racism in Education within a Global Context”
Where: Valhalla, Cartwright Center–Gunning Addition
Admission: Free