Good Trouble Conversations on Race and Justice
Students, faculty and staff: Join us for moderated but open and free discussions about current race and justice topics and how we can effect positive change. To join, email diverse@regis.edu for Zoom information. Participants will receive a special "Get into Good Trouble" t-shirt.
This Fall's Topics and Dates:
- 12-1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, via Zoom: Homelessness in Denver: Causes, Innovative Solutions and How You Can Help
- 12-1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, Becoming an Anti-racist Institution
- 9-10:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 15, St. John Francis Regis Chapel: How Important is it to Dream Together?
Presenter: Olga Marina Segura, author of Birth of a Movement: Black Lives Matter and the Catholic Church
Last spring's conversations:
- What Can I Do? Student Activism in Times of Crisis
Co-hosted by RUSGA - What Does Faith Have to Do with Justice?
Co-hosted by University Mission - The Sacrifice of Walter Springs: The Black Soldier Experience in World War II
Co-hosted by The Center for the Study of War Experience and the Office of Marketing and Communications - Access for All: Race and Disability Justice Understanding the Rights and Challenges of Persons Experiencing Disability
Co-hosted by Disability Services - A History of Racism and Resilience: Colorado's Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Communities
- Voting Rights
Guests: Colorado Secretary of State, Jena Griswold, and former State Senator, Polly Baca
Moderator: Former State Senate President and Obama Administration Official, Peter Groff - Looking Ahead: The Growing Latinx Influence
These conversations are inspired by the late Congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis, who passed away in 2020. Lewis, who was beaten by police during the "Bloody Sunday" civil rights march in Selma, Alabama, called on people to "get in good trouble, necessary trouble and redeem the soul of America." He called on young people to speak out, be persistent, and be non-violent in demanding transformational societal change.
You must find a way to get in the way and get in good trouble, necessary trouble. You have a moral obligation, a mission and a mandate, when you leave here, to go out and seek justice for all. You can do it. You must do it.
John Lewis, speech to college graduates, 2016.
Community Forum on Race and Justice
We've been here many times before, but this moment feels different. The scale of protests; the intensity of pain being shared by the Black community; the expressions of support and allyship from other historically marginalized communities and white citizens; and the tenor of the calls for justice from public figures, faith leaders, and educational institutions—these give me hope. These forces are pushing us all to reckon with America's original sin of racism and its institutions, policies, and attitudes.
As an American historian, I look to the past to make sense of the present and to hope for the future. Our history is filled with moments of opportunity that we squandered. Moments when we had the chance to prioritize the promises of our founding documents and we didn't. Moments when justice-minded folks almost found unity, but then didn't. Moments when we created programs for change, but then forgot to listen to those most affected by them. My hope is that we seize this moment and come together in the long, hard work of justice and resist the forces that try to divide us. My hope is that we all use our privilege to amplify voices that are all-too-often silenced or ignored in the flurry of activity and emotions of moments like this.
Thank you to all who contributed their words of wisdom and strength here. Making our voices heard collectively is the first step in this movement. Please take a moment to read the messages from our diverse community, then explore our collection of resources to learn about these issues for yourself. I encourage you to reflect on and discern how we can make, seek, and achieve justice together.
Nicki Gonzales, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion
Associate Professor of History, Regis College
Hear Prof. Gonzales discuss historic monuments on Colorado Public Radio
"A New Racial Profile," monotype/silkscreen by Professor Tony Ortega.
Get Involved
Voices
2021
Message from the President: Stand against anti-Asian hate
Asian Student Alliance: We plead for recognition
Regis University Student Government Association (RUSGA): This racism did not begin with the virus
2020
Message from the President: Regis University stands with you
Black Student Alliance: Here we are again. And again. And again.
Barbara J. Wilcots: Do you see me?
Giselle Garcia: Colorblindness is dangerous
Amadia Al-Amin: Feeling unsafe doing ordinary things
Patrick I. Romero-Aldaz: As an institution, we must live our mission
Fr. Fernando Álvarez-Lara, S.J.: We are asking for breath
Regis University Student Government Association (RUSGA): Through dialogue we affect positive change
Janet Houser: We can be the light
Asian Student Alliance: The model minority myth
Resources
Actions
Regis University supports the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence (ODEIE), which reports directly to the chief academic officer.
Its many activities include (many in collaboration with campus partners):
- Anti-bias training (Introduction to Inclusivity)
- Brave Space training
- Diverse hiring training
- Bias reporting system and a Bias Incident Response Team
- Diversity committees in every college and the library
- Scholarships for underrepresented groups
- Student affinity groups (SOMOS, Asian Student Alliance, Black Student Alliance, Queer Student Alliance. Social Justice and Diversity Committee)
- Annual Hate Crimes Forum
- Summer reading groups on issues of race and diversity for staff
- Monthly educational emails
- Common Read: One Book, One Regis program, dedicated to issues of racism and inclusivity
- ODEIE office space and student lounge in the Student Center (second floor)
ODEIE is preparing a proposal for an Ethnic Studies certificate pending approval by Regis Academic Council. In the meantime, the following courses will be offered for both traditional and adult learners:
Fall 8W1—African American History
Fall 8W2—Asian American History
Spring 8W1—Mexican American History
Spring 8W2—American Indian History
In addition, during Black History Month in February 2021, Regis will offer a free online 5-week class in African American History.
The Regis community, led by RUSGA officers, demonstrated for the Black Lives Matter movement at the Colorado statehouse in June. Regis President Rev. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J., and other Jesuit priests joined the protest and led prayers. (Photos by Bear Gutierrez)
Elijah McClain, 25 February 1996 – 30 August 2019– posted by my friend, the artist and iconographer, William Hart McNichols. My own meditation on his painting follows.