Redefining Action: Empowering Students for Lives of Social Change is a four-part learning experience that will help to strengthen our commitment to social justice, inclusiveness, social responsibility and awareness, and action. The Diversity Center, Student Involvement & Leadership, and Residential Life, Redefining Action will empower students by giving them space, voice, and agency to define what action and change look like in their lives and for their communities. While action is often understood to mean taking initiative in order to accomplish something, there are multiple ways that action can manifest itself. This program aims to deconstruct the idea of action by looking at ways that self-reflection, language, and everyday behaviors can contribute to social change.
Tunnel of Oppression gives student clubs and organizations the opportunity to bring issues that are important to them to the forefront. Various scenes that depict different issues of oppression engage the entire community in dialogue and reflection, as well as push them to see the effects of oppression, privilege, and inequality in their everyday lives and the lives of others. With this new or renewed awareness, students are encouraged to "take action" in meaningful ways.
As one of the leading educators about the anti-racist movement, Tim Wise's lectures and essays challenges us to dig deep into our own psyches to challenge existing beliefs on race, racism, power, and oppression and in order to recognize our own power and privileges. 30 students will also have the opportunity to join in on a Tim Wise Reading Circle. The Circle will meet March 2 and 16 at 6:00pm and will read and discuss some of Wise's most relevant and provocative essays. If you are interested in joining, please email Angie Hambrick, hambriaz@plu.edu.
16 students will have the opportunity to gain insight into The Civil Rights Movement in Georgia and Alabama. Traveling to original locations of the Movement, as well as social justice related Learning Centers, students will examine the interpersonal, group, and media contexts present in a social movement.
Click here for more information. Applications due March 1st, notification on March 4th and payment due March 11th.
A champion of social justice, reconciliation, and action, Archbishop Desmond Tutu is the culminating experience for Redefining Action. In partnership with PLU and the University of Puget Sound, the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation seeks to reduce youth violence in the Puget Sound region. Tutu's presence in the area reinforces the need to act in ways that influence change for the community that one belongs to. Students who attend Redefining Action events will be entered into a drawing to receive a FREE ticket to see Archbishop Tutu.