Tricia Rose gives the JusTalks Keynote Address on January 18th, 2013.
On January 18th and 19th over a year of planning culminated in the first ever JusTalks program! More than 100 students of all years participated in a day of discussion surrounding identity and privilege at Middlebury and in the greater society. While the ultimate goal is to make JusTalks mandatory for all freshman, opening the event to all students was a way to test our model and generate interest in the Middlebury community.
On Friday evening, Tricia Rose, professor of Africana Studies at Brown University, gave a keynote talk loosely based on her TEDx talk (watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmoiH1PkHGQ). Afterwards, participants met with their “family groups” for the first time. Family groups were composed of 5-7 participants and 1-2 student facilitators. A team of students underwent training led by various faculty members throughout the Fall to serve as facilitators for these family groups. Family group discussions were an opportunity to further unpack issues raised in large group activities and served as a sort of “home base” throughout the day.
A family group engages in discussion during the day of JusTalks.
On Saturday, participants arrived bright and early for a full day of large group activities and small family group discussions. The morning activities were dedicated to exploring how each individual identified while afternoon activities delved into how those identities play out on Middlebury’s campus. The day wrapped up with time for individual reflection and an art project where each family group designed a piece of a puzzle representing their experience at JusTalks and their hopes for the future. The completed puzzle is on display in the library atrium!
A student speaks during one of the large group activities.
The JusTalks organizing team is now back at work figuring out how to make the event sustainable as well as looking at feedback to identify how the event will evolve for next year.
If anyone is interested in joining the organizing team, please contact justalks@middlebury.edu