It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.-
EE Cummings
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The Davis Center advances broad campus engagement with complex issues of identity, history, and cultures as they affect intellectual, creative, and social life. |
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DIRECTOR'S NOTE:
As summer begins I hope we each find a moment to be still and reflect on the resilience, compassion, and ingenuity that we called upon to get through a traumatic year. The road was rough and we could barley see where it led, but we made it. The end of the year is a great time to thank those on your team, in your pod, those who virtually supported you, and yourself for all it took to get to this point.
This month is also Pride month, Juneteenth and Immigrant Heritage Month. So let's also take some time to get to know the lesser known history of how we came to celebrate Pride, how long it took for 250,000 enslaved people in Texas to be free *after* the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, and hear the stories of immigrants.
In this issue, we announce The DC Award honorees, invite you to fidget, introduce you to Chella Man, and congratulate you.
This issue marks the beginning of our summer hiatus. See you in the fall!!
Best,
Eden-Reneé
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Davis Center Awards 2021
Traditionally, the Davis Center award ceremony is combined with the DC Spring Block party: folk would congregate around the Davis Center area while DJs would be mixing fresh tunes while folks enjoy delicious treats and barbers would provide the freshest fades in northern Berkshire County.
Early in this semester, we knew that another virtual block party would have to be arranged--and it was. But, as the DJ noted, "Everybody's tired of virtual parties!" Because the weather had been so chilly this spring, many group events ended up happening at the same time and we decided that we would instead plan a big IN-PERSON Fall Block Party and try to put on a small, in-person award ceremony because "there are people who deserve to be celebrated all the same!"
With great guidance and support from the OCL team, (especially Mike B!), we somehow were able to find space--in a week with limited space availability--and even managed to get most of the recipients to attend. On the steps of Chapin Hall, Director Hayes announced the winners while pinwheels and bubbles were handed out, in addition to the umbrellas which provided shade to the guests as the sun bore down mightily. It was the first official in-person event in this strange year--and it ended up a beautiful if simple success!
We are honored to announce the recipients of the 2020-2021 DC Awards and look forward to watching these people and groups continue to inspire and contribute in positive ways in and out of the purple bubble.
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Senior Social Justice Advocate Award -
- Jeongyoon Han
- Abby Fournier
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Senior Cultivating Community Award -
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Angel Ibarra
- Outstanding Virtual Program/Event
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- Sisterhood (1st Black Women Summit; amongst other events)
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Best Co-Sponsorship/Collaborative Group Programming -
- AASiA and Mosaics
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Most Beautiful Social Media Presence from a MinCo group -
- CISA
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Best Virtual Outreach -
- Williams Student Union
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Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award -
- Ky Gerbush
- Chris Sewell
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Outstanding Student Mentor of the Year Award -
- Nicholas Servedio
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Outstanding Initiative of the Year Award -
- Temesgen Araya and Dining Services
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Unsung Hero of the Year Award -
- Mohammad Faizaan
Congratulations and thank you for adding so much to our world!
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Hello Awesome Ephs!
So one day I arrive to pick up my son from my best friend’s house and find her daughter introducing the other kids to an array of fidgets. I thought I was being supportive by playing the student in her lesson, but found myself feeling soothed and calmer as I tried each one. I was surprised that the effects of a long day were lessened. Turns out, fidget toys didn’t start with spinners and pop its, those pen clicks, spinning bands on rings, and stress balls are really just less colorful fidgets. Under COVID, jewelry designers have turned to creating necklaces and bracelets with parts to spin, click, or rub so that adults can engage in the stress release and increased focus that fidgets can bring. Scientific research on fidgets is sparse but there are a lot of anecdotal accounts of their helpfulness. So, go ahead and give fidgets a try and see if there is a type that works for you. Fidgets are for anyone of any age, neurodiversity, and need!
Want to go deeper? Different types of fidgets can have different effects. Try each one out and journal about what does and doesn’t work for you. Remember to think outside of the purchase! There are likely lots of things around your home that can be used as a fidget object.
Want to learn more? This article provides deeper understanding of why fidgets help and what benefits they can provide.
Want to talk about it? Meetings are by appointment this summer but I’d be happy to talk! Just email me!!
Be Well,
Eden-Reneé
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My name is Aseel Abulhab, and I'm the Assistant Director of the DC. Welcome to Williams Signs! I discovered a passion for sign language and working with the D/deaf community at the end of high school, and have since had the opportunity to finish a complete course in ASL, attend a summer course at Gallaudet University, and undertake two international fellowships devoted to D/deaf access to education. Each newsletter, I will share a new phrase or sign in ASL and/or a fun fact. If you have any additional questions or want to engage on the subject, please reach out to me at aa9. Happy signing!
On this newsletter, learn about the Chella Man and his new book, Continuum. Chella Man is an American YouTuber, actor, model, artist, and LGBTQ activist. He is known for sharing his experiences as a transgender, Deaf, genderqueer, and Jewish person of color.
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First and foremost, dear readers: congratulations! Of course, congratulations to the class of 2021! Graduation from college, especially one as great as Williams, is always a huge accomplishment--but to do so under the circumstances put forth is just...amazing! So give yourself a pat on the back, freshly minted college grads--embrace how malleable and tenacious you are!
These congratulations go further: to the parents, the professors, the siblings, the friends, and support staff: YOU, yes, YOU: congratulations for making it to now. These were really challenging times for everyone, and I'm so proud of you for making it to this point. There are many trials and tribulations ahead, but think about what you've been able to do in this pandemic paradigm and think about what else is within your capabilities--and do it!
This leads me to the slight title change in this month's "GET OUT," submission: whether you're about to enter the professional world for the first time or feel like you've seen it all: do aim to get out of your comfort zone every now and then. It'll make you a better person. Maybe it'll take a while for the good stuff to come to fruition, but a time will come when you won't be able to imagine life without that experience.
For some, this may be something like literally going OUTSIDE and communing with nature for a few days (or months)--but for others, it might be as simple as going INSIDE yourself--perhaps dealing with some tough stuff within you that you've been compartmentalizing a little bit successfully. The work of growth can be unpleasant, painful, and even terrifying, but it's worth it. Don't let yourself get complacent. Push yourself. Test yourself. Grow. Grow. Grow.
So get out this summer: be authentic to yourself. Grow from experience and don't ever get too comfortable or complacent: nothing in life is guaranteed. Appreciate what you have, spread the love and live authentically.
Happy summer all! I will be around campus most of the summer and while the newsletter's taking a break, know that the DC team and myself will be working hard to make this upcoming year as great as possible. Thanks and be kind (to others...and yourself!).
-NatMB
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The Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Williams College dedicates itself to a community where all members can thrive. We work to eliminate harmful bias and discrimination, close opportunity gaps, and advance critical conversations and initiatives that promote inclusion, equity, and social justice on campus and beyond. |
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Born out of the students' advocacy and protests of students, the Davis Center continues to fulfill its mission by working closely with student organizations. Included in those groups is the Minority Coalition (“MinCo”), student affinity groups united under the umbrella of MinCo. The Davis Center provides advising and logistical support for these groups.
MinCo provides a more unified voice against prejudice and discrimination against marginalized students by serving as a mechanism for affinity groups to come together in organizational, social, academic, and political spheres. MinCo facilitates cooperation and communication among its member organizations, the campus, and the Williamstown community and is an active voice in constructing a stronger community more aware of minority concerns.
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Upcoming Events, Opportunities & Deadlines:
Community, Professional & Learning Opportunities
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Apply to become Peer MentEph!! |
Do you wish you had a peer that could have given you academic guidance during your first year at Williams? Would you like to serve in that role for an incoming first-year? If so, sign up to be a Peer Mentor in the Peer MentEph Program. Learn more about the job and expectations here.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Peer MentEph Directors, Zia Saylor (zjs2) or Hannah Moore (hnm1), or Chris Sewell (cjs4).
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Student-Curated
Online Resources
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The COVID-19 Health Advocacy Training
DC online workshop now available
This series of six short videos addresses COVID-19 and safer practices, as well as caring for oneself and for each other during this pandemic. The training examines racialized interpretations and impacts of COVID-19, and why social identities matter in dealing with the virus and with each other, as we engage in sometimes challenging discussions.
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CISA Curated Guide to Organizations Dedicated to Helping Immigrant Families Separated at the Border
The Coalition for Immigrant Student Advancement (CISA) has recently created a resource guide dedicated to organizations helping immigrant families being separated at the border. These organizations have all been fact-checked and have a history of providing financial assistance to immigrants for legal aid, housing, bail relief, etc. The goal in creating and sharing this research guide is to give individuals simple and organized information on how they can direct their funds to help individuals in need. For more information about this initiative, email MIR2@williams.edu.
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TalkSpace -
Free Online Therapy for Students
TalkSpace is an innovative online therapy service that is now available, at no cost and effective immediately, to all enrolled students, twelve months a year and even while traveling abroad.
TalkSpace connects users to a dedicated, licensed therapist from a secure, HIPAA-compliant mobile app and web platform. Their roster comprises more than 5,000 licensed clinicians from across the country, who collectively speak over forty languages. You can send your therapist a text, voice or video message anytime, from anywhere, throughout your time at Williams.
Williams College and the IWS is providing this service to students in addition to all of our existing on-campus offerings in psychotherapy, psychiatry and on-call crisis services, as well as the wellbeing promotion events, workshops and groups we organize throughout the year.
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Crisis Interventions
Trevor Lifeline — The only national 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ young people under 25, available at 1-866-488-7386.
TrevorChat — A free, confidential, secure instant messaging service for LGBTQ youth that provides live help from trained volunteer counselors, open daily.
TrevorText — A free, confidential, secure service in which LGBTQ young people can text a trained Trevor counselor for support and crisis intervention, available daily by texting START to 678-678.
Suicide Prevention Trainings and Resources
LGBTQ on Campus — These online, interactive training simulations for students and faculty in higher education are AFSP/SPRC Best Practices for Suicide Prevention and were created in partnership with Kognito Interactive and Campus Pride.
Step-In, Speak-Up — These online, interactive training simulations for faculty and staff working with youth in Grades 6–12 are AFSP/SPRC Best Practices for Suicide Prevention and were created in partnership with Kognito Interactive.
If you are thinking about suicide, you deserve immediate support. Please call The Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386.
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