Joining the Conversation (Boulder)
Our goal at diversifyCUnow is to amplify the voices and demands of BIPOC students, faculty, and staff on all of the CU campuses. If you are new to the conversation surrounding antiracism at CU Boulder, here are some resources that will be helpful to understand what is going on.
BIPOC
BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, People of Color
BSA
Black Student Alliance is a CU student organization that "serves as an advocate of the Black/African American student and as ally to all other underrepresented voices on campus."
Antiracism
“One either allows racial inequities to persevere – as a racist – or confronts racial inequities – as an antiracist. There is no in-between safe space of ‘not racist.’ The claim of ‘not racist’ neutrality is a mask for racism.” -Ibram X. Kendi (p. 13)
BLM
BLM stands for Black Lives Matter
BLM is an organization created in 2013 in response to the death of Trayvon Martin in the hands of police brutality. In 2020 BLM has been heavily involved in the protests involving George Floyd and many other deaths of Black individuals.
Timeline
NOTE: this timeline is a simple summary, antiracism is a cumulative effort and many events, organizing, and devastation has occurred at CU before this timeline starts. For consolidation purposes we have narrowed it down. Click on each text box to read more
Racist incident occurs on campus
(commonly known as the N-word incident)
October 7, 2019
October 6, 2019
October 8, 2019
October 9, 2019
October 16, 2019
COVID-19 Pandemic slows and hinders meetings
May 25, 2020
May 29, 2020
May 31, 2020
June 1, 2020
June 12, 2020
Ruth Woldemichael and Olivia Gardner, in conjunction to Black Student Alliance,
send Chancellor DiStefano a list of demands
Democratic Regent Jack Kroll presents a Resolution (link here). A Republican Regent, Sue Sharkey, made a motion that the Resolution be sent to two committees and with the majority vote, the Republican Regents approved Sue’s motion.
June 18, 2020
June 23, 2020
The two committees Jack Kroll's resolution were referred to meet. Each presenter spoke about the ongoing "diversity and inclusion" efforts happening at each campus. Only one presenter, CU chief diversity officer Theodosia Cook, made it clear they have been and will be consulting BIPOC members for their work.
July 23, 2020
Chancellor DiStefano responds to Woldemicheal and Gardner after pressure from a day counter on diversifyCUnow's website. A meeting is scheduled.
August 10, 2020
August 11, 2020
August 12, 2020
August 14, 2020
August 18, 2020
August 19, 2020
August 26, 2020