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MLK Day of Service 2021: "Integrating Allyship as a Catalyst for Change"

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MLK Day of Service 2021: "Integrating Allyship as a Catalyst for Change"

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The VISTA Collaborative at the WVU Center for Service and Learning is encouraging all students, faculty, staff, and community members to ‘make it a day on’ and engage in the MLK Day of Service virtual experience, where we will discuss "Integrating Allyship as a Catalyst for Change”.

WVU Affiliates (faculty, staff, & students) use this link:

https://iserve.wvu.edu/need/detail/?need_id=560181

Non-WVU Affiliates  (volunteers & community partners) link:

https://forms.gle/Ljpj32ibVRkPTdt6A

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Over the last few months, climbers asked the New River Alliance of Climbers to change some route names to get rid of racist and offensive language.

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On this West Virginia Morning, we hear about racism found somewhere you may not expect - rock climbing. We explore the history of some racist and offensive language used for route names, and the debate over whether to change them.

A new federal rule is changing the process for citizens to file complaints about polluting coal mining operations. As Brittany Patterson reports, Ohio Valley environmental groups fear the changes weaken their ability to protect communities and the environment.

Here in West Virginia, the New River Gorge boasts some of the best climbing anywhere. For decades, it has attracted climbers from all over the world, who come to West Virginia and create new climbing routes. As the first people to climb these routes - the "first ascensionists" in climber lingo - these pioneers have the privilege of naming the routes. Over the last few months, climbers asked the New River Alliance of Climbers to change some route names to get rid of racist and offensive language. Reporter Zack Harold went down to the Gorge last month to find out more.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

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Racism In Rock Climbing On This West Virginia Morning

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On this West Virginia Morning, we hear about racism found somewhere you may not expect - rock climbing. We explore the history of some racist and offensive language used for route names, and the debate over whether to change them.

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2020 Summit on Race Matters in West Virginia

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2020 Summit on Race Matters in West Virginia

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The summit was sponsored by the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation. Keep an eye on the website for future events.

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2020 Summit on Race Matters in West Virginia

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Register When: Sept 10, 2020 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: 2020 Summit on Race Matters in West Virginia - Session 2 Link to official website: racematterswv.tv

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The University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law hosted a day-long symposium on Breonna Taylor on October 23, 2020. The symposium features, lawyers, activists, practitioners, politicians, and students. They examined legal issues surrounding the criminal charges and defenses, search warrant inconsistencies, damages awarded to the family, the federal investigation, and the impact of race on policing. The recorded live stream of the Symposium can be found on YouTube.

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Say Her Name: "Breonna Taylor"  - A Day-Long Symposium

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This video explains 'adultification bias' and highlights some of the storied discussed by Black women and girls during a focus group conducted by the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty's Imitative on Gender Justice and Opportunity. Share your story at www.endadultificationbias.org

#LetBlackGirlsBeGirls

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Listening to Black Women and Girls: Lived Experiences of Adultification Bias

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Listening to Black Women and Girls: Lived Experiences of Adultification Bias

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From the authors, "... participants supported our finding that Black girls experience adultification bias. Further, they suggested several related factors that contribute to that bias, including the role played by negative stereotypes of Black women, as well as racism, sexism, and poverty."

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Being Black lowers the value of my home: The legacy of redlining

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Being Black lowers the value of my home: The legacy of redlining

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One persistent myth about the racial wealth gap is that Blacks have themselves to blame because they aren’t as financially responsible as Whites. But like so many other things — even when controlled for income, education and creditworthiness — homeownership just doesn’t deliver the same wealth for Blacks as it does for Whites.

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Wheeling becomes the first WV city to declare racism a public health crisis. 

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Wheeling becomes the first WV city to declare racism a public health crisis. 

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As a health crisis, Wheeling will now require all classified and unclassified municipal employees, and new hires, to complete implicit bias training — with additional education on how racism affects people.

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OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. (WTRF) - Wheeling City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to declare racism a Public Health Crisis in the city.

JUST IN - Wheeling City Council has unanimously voted 'yes' to go forward with declaring racism a public health crisis - Making the Friendly City the first to declare it as such in West Virginia @WTRF7News pic.twitter.com/pxRUnZIvEx
- Stephanie Grindley (@StephyDawgG) October 6, 2020

The 'yes' vote will work with city staff to review all policies and procedures with the purpose to eradicate any implicit or explicit racial bias.

For decades health officials have recognized that racial disparities affect a person's entire life.... Where they live, where they go to school, their health, their food access.
Lori Jones, Executive Director of Wheeling YWCA

As a health crisis, Wheeling will now require all classified and unclassified municipal employees, and new hires, to complete implicit bias training - with additional education on how racism affects people.

It's an ideology. It's not something in the physical form. So, you'll never be able to eradicate racism. But the one thing I know you can combat racism with is familiarity. That's with cooperation with different communities as well as our own.
Isaiah Alford, Men Of Change rep.

The ultimate goal is towards an 'inclusive workforce'.

One of the most important things we're going to do is take inventory of the administration here in the city of Wheeling - People who represent the city, and find ways to be inclusive and representative of our communities.
Rosemary Ketchum, 3rd Ward Wheeling Councilwoman

"I know it's a beautiful thing for all these men standing with us. Because that's what we're working for. That's what we're fighting for. To see things actually come about and happen. We couldn't ask for any more," said Alford.

Wheeling City Council will be the first in the state of West Virginia which is ground breaking. Our city council has been great in the last few years of addressing disparities of all sorts and this is just another step.
Lori Jones, Executive Director for the YWCA

Many representatives from the group 'Men of Change' filled the audience and say the step of call racism a public health crisis acknowledges that 'racism affects every part of a person.' Men of Change and the YWCA hope other cities in the state will follow in Wheeling's lead.

'Men Of Change' reps filled in the room to hear the decision. They say declaring racism a public health crisis in Wheeling helps bring the community together... They hope other cities follow in Wheeling's lead. More on what this means tonight @WTRF7News pic.twitter.com/HPFuG9QVzc
- Stephanie Grindley (@StephyDawgG) October 6, 2020

The YWCA has a petition floating around right now with hundreds of signatures asking the state as a whole to declare racism as a public health crisis, with the intent to reach the governor's desk by the new year. To sign, head here.

To read the full resolution from the City of Wheeling declaring racism a public health crisis, read below:

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City of Wheeling becomes first in WV to declare racism a public health crisis

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OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. (WTRF) - Wheeling City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to declare racism a Public Health Crisis in the city. The 'yes' vote will work with city staff to review all policies and procedures with the purpose to eradicate any implicit or explicit racial bias.

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Greenwood Bank - Online Banking for those wishing to support Black Businesses

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Greenwood Bank - Online Banking for those wishing to support Black Businesses

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"Today, a dollar circulates for 20 days in the White community, but only six hours in the Black community," Render said in a written statement. Black Americans are twice as likely to be denied mortgage loans by traditional banks, but minority depository institutions have a better track record of lending to non-White individuals.

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greenwood: killer mike's black-owned bank receives "tens of thousands" of account requests in less than 24 hours - cnn

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Killer Mike's new Black-owned bank receives 'tens of thousands' of account requests in less than 24 hours

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A new majority Black and Latinx-owned and operated digital bank hopes to make supporting Black-owned banks and businesses a little easier for consumers.

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Black Leaders respond the Senate Republicans' letter that denounced football players BLM stickers. 

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Black Leaders respond the Senate Republicans' letter that denounced football players BLM stickers. 

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David Fryson, former WVU vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, said by phone that he is proud of players for taking a stand against racial injustice and credited the university for having its players’ backs. Fryson said the letter the senators wrote shows how little these lawmakers care for Black West Virginians.

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Black leaders in the state are calling out the 17 Republican state senators who accused West Virginia University football players of promoting a domestic terrorist organization for wearing "BLM" stickers on their helmets this season.

BLM is the Black Lives Matter movement.

David Fryson, former WVU vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, said by phone that he is proud of players for taking a stand against racial injustice and credited the university for having its players' backs. Fryson said the letter the senators wrote shows how little these lawmakers care for Black West Virginians.

"For those members of the West Virginia state Senate to come out against it, to me, is just indicative of the lack of respect that these Republican senators pay to the African American community," Fryson said.

"The fact that the Legislature, who does so very little to nothing at all for people of color, to spend this type of time in the midst of a pandemic is just an atrocious use of time and a disrespect for African Americans throughout the state."

The West Virginia Legislature has not called itself back into session for the entirety of the pandemic, which it can do with two-thirds approval from each chamber. Delegate Danielle Walker, D-Monongalia, said it's telling that state senators chose to speak out against this issue.

"It's very, very compelling that we had the votes in the House side to call ourselves back for a special session but we did not have the support in the Senate side," Walker said. "So, I want to know, when did the senators have time for a caucus but they don't have time to govern?"

The letter, authored by Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, and co-signed by 16 other senators, also addressed recent comments by a Marshall University professor who said she wishes all President Donald Trump supporters would get COVID-19 and die before the Nov. 3 election. Tarr wrote that he was disturbed to see WVU and Marshall, which are public schools, promote the "very same hate speech" as the language causing riots in American cities.

Tarr did not respond to requests for comment for this report.

Walker, one of West Virginia's four Black lawmakers, said she does not wish COVID-19 or death upon anyone. The professor's comments don't change the racial or political motivation behind the senators' letter, she said.

Tarr claimed the stickers were bought using taxpayer money, but WVU said in a statement that allegation is not true.

Rick Martin, president of the Charleston branch of the NAACP, said the senators failed to understand the difference between Black Lives Matter, the global organization, and the statement "Black lives matter."

"It's not like Black Lives Matter is being promoted as an organization. Nobody is asking for donations, for money to be contributed to advance the organization," Martin said. "The essence of what's being stated, is simply the meaning behind the words 'Black lives matter.' "

Martin, who has advocated for closing the health disparities in West Virginia's most impoverished communities for years, took issue with where these senators' priorities are.

"How the members of the Legislature, in the midst of a pandemic, can be silent over significant issues, such as health disparities and poverty that is certainly exacerbated by this pandemic, but you hear nothing from them with respect to these issues - it is just unconscionable," Martin said. "It's beyond insulting when you consider the fact that life and death is weighing in the balance."

Fryson said that, with Election Day less than two months away, senators facing tough reelection challenges saw an opportunity to weigh in on a red-meat issue for Republicans.

"It seems to me that they're playing to a racist base, and they need to be called out for it. This is racism at its core value. ... We're talking about a sticker on a football helmet and they're making it out to be like these young men have made some radical statement points; literally this is happening all over the nation." Fryson said. "To my mind, this was a cheap political ploy."

Walker said she attended a Black Lives Matter march in Preston County on Sept. 12, where they were met by a group of counter-protesters - one wearing a shirt with an "SS" logo, standing for the Nazi police force. Walker said she's curious where these senators draw the line on what racism needs to be condemned and what doesn't.

"We must be uncomfortable for the moment to have this hard conversation. So why is it OK for our elected officials to pick and choose their comfort level of addressing different issues?" Walker said.

"I stand with West Virginia University and its athletes. At no point ever have I been to a march or a rally or a protest where anyone yelled in the crowd, 'only Black lives matter,' " she said. "When we say 'Black lives matter,' we know all lives matter. But we need some help right now, because Black lives are becoming an endangered species."

Fryson noted that he also took issue with the letter because, he said, it represents West Virginia in a racist way. Why would recruits want to come to West Virginia only for their elected representatives to demean their lives, he asked.

"And I think West Virginia is better than that," Fryson said. "I truly believe that they're playing to a stereotype of West Virginia as being racist, when, in fact, I think we have many people with great goodwill that would take great umbrage with this so-called statement of theirs."

Martin is hoping the state soon releases a plan that helps mitigate COVID-19's effects on West Virginia's low-income communities. He said that, with the Legislature not in town and the Governor's Office not providing details on exactly how it will move beyond just offering free testing, these communities will continue to be ignored.

"Nothing is being promulgated to address any of the serious health issues exacerbated by this pandemic, beyond testing," he said. "That's all you hear."

Reach Joe Severino at

joe.severino@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4814 or follow

@jj_severino on Twitter.

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'It's beyond insulting': Black leaders say WV senators should stop worrying about BLM stickers and start doing their jobs

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Black leaders in the state are calling out the 17 Republican state senators who accused West Virginia University football players of promoting a domestic terrorist organization for wearing "BLM" stickers on their helmets this season. BLM is the Black Lives Matter movement.

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The difference between being "not racist" and antiracist.

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The difference between being "not racist" and antiracist.

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Ibram X. Kendi

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The difference between being "not racist" and antiracist | Ibram X. Kendi

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Juneteenth celebrates “a moment of indescribable joy”

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Juneteenth celebrates “a moment of indescribable joy”

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It has its roots in the long-awaited moment of emancipation in Texas, where more than 250,000 enslaved black people received news on June 19, 1865 — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation — that they were free. - Washington Post

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Resources to understand America’s long history of injustice and inequality.

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You can follow us on twitter for links and important information on anti-racism at WVU.

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WVU vows to combat racism from changes to its all-white board to the curriculum and student code

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WVU vows to combat racism from changes to its all-white board to the curriculum and student code

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West Virginia University Friday announced moves to address systemic racism stretching from makeup of its currently all-white board of governors to education...

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We want our community to contribute to our Anti-Racist Work!  

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We want our community to contribute to our Anti-Racist Work!  

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We are asking for community contributed content to add to our Anti-Racism platforms. These can be stories, videos, poems, spoken word, art, ect.

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KKK flyers distributed in PA County, just above Morgantown

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KKK flyers distributed in PA County, just above Morgantown

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Police investigating after flyers for KKK spotted around Greene County, other areas

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Ku Klux Klan fliers, filled with hateful messages towards the Black community, are being placed in neighbors' yards and driveways around Greene County and other areas.

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Presidential Executive Order could change how Universities teach DEI Trainings

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Presidential Executive Order could change how Universities teach DEI Trainings

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The University of Iowa will temporarily halt diversity, equity, and inclusion training provided by federal contractors and federal grantees after evaluating a White House Executive Order that aims to " combat offensive and anti-American race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating."

The email was sent Friday, Oct. 2 by I nterim Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liz Tovar to the President's Cabinet and Council of Deans.

Tovar wrote in the email that since the Executive Order was issued, the UI began preliminary evaluations of institution-based training related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Throughout President Trump's tenure in the White House, he has not always been forthcoming about condemning white supremacy. During the Sept. 29 presidential debate, Trump did not directly condemn white supremacy after being asked to do so.

Trump has also called the Black Lives Matter movement "a symbol of hate" and said "it's bad for Black people. It's bad for everybody."

"Let us state unequivocally that diversity, equity, and inclusion remain as core values within our institution. However, after consulting with multiple entities, and given the seriousness of the penalties for non-compliance with the order, which include the loss of federal funding, we are recommending that all units temporarily pause for a two-week period ..." Tovar wrote in the email.

The executive order, signed by Trump on Sept. 22, states that a federal contractor shall not use any workplace training that "inculcates in its employees any form of race or sex stereotyping or any form of race or sex scapegoating," including, but not limited to, the following concepts:

o ne race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex

an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously

an individual's moral character is necessarily determined by his or her race or sex

an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex

any individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race or sex

meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist, or were created by a particular race to oppress another race

The order also states that the heads of all agencies should review their respective grant programs and require the recipient to certify it will not use the federal grant to promote the concepts listed above.

In Tovar's email, she outlined the following training programs that will be paused pending evaluation:

Harassment and discrimination training for university employees provided by the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity and/or its external vendor;

Select trainings from the Diversity Resources unit, including but not limited to the BUILD Certificate Program, Virtual Discussions, and departmental requests;

Path to Distinction search committee training through the Office of the Provost, and Supervisor Training modules through Human Resources;

Trainings, workshops, or programs for UI employees that describe race or sex stereotyping and race or sex scapegoating; and

Diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings for UI employees that include defined as divisive by the Executive Order.

The UI Office of Strategic Communication provided The Daily Iowan with a statement approved by Tovar, saying the UI is deeply disappointed in the language and intention behind the Executive Order.

"The University of Iowa recognizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion education and training and remains committed to becoming a more just and inclusive campus community. However, the UI is a government contractor and the recipient of federal grants, so we are taking the necessary time to review the breadth of the order and understand the serious implications of noncompliance," the statement said.

According to the Office of the Vice President for Research, the UI has 923 active federally-funded projects on campus, and in fiscal year 2020 was awarded $346,721,973 in federal dollars received directly from a federal agency.

The UI established a committee that will be responsible for reviewing all workshops and training programs related to this order. The Training Review Committee includes representatives from the Office of General Counsel, the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Human Resources, Purchasing, and UI Health Care, according to Tovar's email.

Tovar asked UI faculty and staff who facilitate DEI workplace training to submit the contents of their training and other associated materials to the Training Review Committee prior to holding the training event.

Trump's order defines race or sex scapegoating as " assigning fault, blame, or bias to a race or sex, or to members of a race or sex because of their race or sex." The order goes on to say that "many people are pushing a different vision of America that is grounded in hierarchies based on collective social and political identities rather than in the inherent and equal dignity of every person as an individual."

With a reckoning for racial justice rippling across the country, many are advocating for a more inclusive education that addresses systemic racism and for people in the workplace to face their own implicit biases.

Loren Glass, chair of the UI English department, said while he questions the constitutionality of Trump's Executive Order, it still creates a "chilling effect" regardless of enforcement measures.

"The Executive Order completely misrepresents what diversity workshops are intended to do," Glass said. "The most offensive paradox of this is that an administration that essentially represents white supremacy and benefits from white supremacy, is asking us not to teach or train people about the role of white supremacy in American history in American life, even though everyone is aware that it plays a constitutive role in our national life."

Glass said the English department plans to continue teaching about systemic racism in the classroom, and that no government entity can advise a university what they can and cannot teach. The order does not mention school curriculums.

The University of Michigan released a statement on Sept. 26 condemning the order, saying the Executive Order "is a direct violation of our right to free speech and has the potential to undermine serious efforts to acknowledge and address long-standing racist practices that fail to account for disparate treatment of our citizens throughout our society. The university will continue to examine the implications of this order and speak out against it."

The Daily Iowan will update this story with comments from faculty members.
This is a developing story. Check back as we report.

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University of Iowa will halt diversity, equity, and inclusion training after White House Executive Order

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The University of Iowa will temporarily halt diversity, equity, and inclusion training provided by federal contractors and federal grantees after evaluating a White House Executive Order that aims to "combat offensive and anti-American race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating." The email was sent Friday, Oct. 2 by Interim Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and...

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Del. Danielle Walker Accosted by White Supremist in Preston County.  

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Del. Danielle Walker Accosted by White Supremist in Preston County.  

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Posted: / Updated:

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia House of Delegates member Del. Danielle Walker, D-51, has sent a letter to Gov. Jim Justice asking him to denounce what she describes as the "hate" she and others experienced during a Black Lives Matter protest in Preston County held Sept. 12.

In the letter, which Walker began with two of Justice's favorite catch phrases ("in no shape, form or fashion" and "run to the fire"), she claims she was approached by counter protesters with Nazi symbol tattoos who shouted the N-word, "White Power" and other racially charged phrases at her.

Walker goes on to say that she was approached by people carrying rifles.

Walker said she wears body armor and travels with security, even to go to the store, due to the threats she has received.

Del. Danielle Walker

Walker also detailed her displeasure that fellow lawmakers and Justice have not spoken out against the counter protesters, specifically mentioning State Senator Dave Sypolt, R-14, who she said watched the incident in Kingwood from "the safety of his vehicle," and other state senators who recently wrote a letter to Marshall University and West Virginia University officials objecting to the use of "BLM" stickers on the helmets of each school's football team.

Walker concludes the letter by saying:

"Will you condemn the hate that was illustrated in our Mountain State from these White supremacists? Will you take a stand for racial equality and equity? Will you protect me as one of your House of Delegates members, as I live every day in fear for my life? Will you protect my freedom to speak? Hate is not making America Great. This Mountaineer does NOT feel FREE."

Walker asked Justice for a phone call, as well as mentioning the issue during his COVID-19 briefing coming up on Friday.

Read the full letter here.

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WV House of Delegates member pens letter to Gov. Justice asking him to condemn white supremacists after contentious protest

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia House of Delegates member Del. Danielle Walker, D-51, has sent a letter to Gov. Jim Justice asking him to denounce what she describes as the "hate" she and others experienced during a Black Lives Matter protest in Preston County held Sept. 12.

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17 West Virginia Senators write letter WVU Denouncing BLM Stickers. WVU Responds

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17 West Virginia Senators write letter WVU Denouncing BLM Stickers. WVU Responds

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West Virginia State Senator Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, sent a letter dated Sept. 20, 2020 to the presidents of West Virginia University, E. Gordon Gee, and Marshall University, Jerome Gilbert, expressing his disgust over recent occurrences of what Tarr describes as "hate speech".

In the letter, made publicly available by MetroNews, Tarr says he finds it "disturbing" that publically funded universities such as WVU and Marshall "promote" "hate speech". Tarr's letter is in reference to some West Virginia University football student-athletes wearing black lives matter "BLM" stickers on their helmets this season and a professor at Marshall who made comments about supporters of Donald Trump and coronavirus.

Tarr calls for Gee and Gilbert to either return taxpayer money the universities receive or to use it for "a more honorable purpose" and to treat the schools as "flagships of the great State of West Virginia" and not "vehicles for anarchy or political propaganda".

Tarr's letter is co-signed by 16 other members of the state Senate majority caucus. However, the state Senators from WVU's district, District 13, Bob Beach (D-Monongalia) and Roman Prezioso (D-Marion) did not sign the letter. The state senators from Marshall's district, District 5, Robert Plymale (D-Wayne) and Michael Woelfel (D-Cabell) also did not sign the letter.

In response, West Virginia University and WVU Athletics released a joint statement on Monday saying that no state taxpayer dollars were spent on the helmet stickers and the use of the helmet stickers was optional for each student-athlete. The statement, in full, reads:

"West Virginia University and its athletics department must ensure a safe and equitable environment for our students and staff. We have an obligation to peacefully stand up against hatred, intolerance and racism. Our student-athletes and staff are united to bring about a positive and peaceful change to our great country. As Mountaineers, we would not have it any other way.

"It's important for our fans to know that this helmet sticker is not advocating for any organization or any political stance, violence, rioting, looting or destruction. The sticker is a call for unity, safety and equality.

"No state taxpayer dollars were used relating to these stickers. It is also important to note that each individual student-athlete voluntarily chose to participate.

"We have student-athletes who want to bring an end to the social injustices using peaceful and positive ideas. Our student-athletes take great pride in representing West Virginia University and the state of West Virginia and are impressive in their maturity and caring attitude."

The "BLM" helmet stickers were first shown by WVU junior defensive lineman Dante Stills on his Instagram earlier this month.

Welcome to the new home of WVU football and basketball breaking news, analysis and recruiting. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and check us out on YouTube. And don't forget to subscribe for all of our articles delivered directly to your inbox.

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WVU Responds to Senators' Letter Over BLM Helmet Stickers | WV Sports Now

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West Virginia State Senator Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, sent a letter dated Sept. 20, 2020 to the presidents of West Virginia University, E. Gordon Gee, and Marshall University, Jerome Gilbert, expressing his disgust over recent occurrences of what Tarr describes as "hate speech". In the letter, made publicly available by MetroNews, Tarr says he finds it [...]

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We are looking for community created anti-racist content to post here and on our social media websites. These can be stories, videos, poems, spoken word, art, ect. Please submit your content to WVUAntiRacism@gmail.com

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WVU Responds to petition wanting increased action on opposing racism

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WVU Responds to petition wanting increased action on opposing racism

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West Virginia University Thursday (June 17) issued the following response to a petition received on June 16 outlining various actions the University should take to fight racism:

West Virginia University has received a petition citing several areas for improvement and increased support in the University's pledge to oppose racism in all its forms. The petition outlines multiple actions to rectify the shortcomings.

We are grateful to those who challenge us to live up to our ideals and words. We recognize the University - indeed all of society - has not progressed as much as is needed. This University will be intentional in listening, learning and doing better.

A university, especially one as large as WVU, is a microcosm of society as a whole. We can all agree that racism, whether overt or hidden, has never been properly or honestly addressed in this country, despite sporadic progressive steps over the years.

We are listening. We do not have all the answers, however, the University will stand together with our community and get to work on those things that must change.

On Friday, June 19, the WVU Board of Governors and President Gordon Gee will address concerns and announce actions that will be taken in the short-term, as well as long-term. Our challenges did not develop overnight, nor will they be erased overnight. With positive intent and a willingness to learn and transform, we will be better.
-WVU-
jb/06/17/20

CONTACT: John A. Bolt
WVU Office of Communications
304-293-5520; jabolt@mail.wvu.edu

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WVU Today | WVU responds to petition wanting increased action on opposing racism

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West Virginia University Thursday (June 17) issued the following response to a petition received on June 16 outlining various actions the University should take to fight racism: West Virginia University has received a petition citing several areas for improvement and increased support in the University's pledge to oppose racism in all its forms. The petition outlines multiple actions to rectify the shortcomings.

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Anti-Racism is more than just not being racists. Anti-racism is activity pursuing policy changes against racism and speaking out against discrimination.

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How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

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Project Implicit is a project by Harvard who are researching the implicit social cognition. Their goal is to collect data and educate about the unknown biases they may have. Taking the test will help you analyze your biases.

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Preliminary Information

On the next page you'll be asked to select an Implicit Association Test (IAT) from a list of possible topics . We will also ask you (optionally) to report your attitudes or beliefs about these topics and provide some information about yourself.

We ask these questions because the IAT can be more valuable if you also describe your own self-understanding of the attitude or stereotype that the IAT measures. We would also like to compare differences between people and groups.

On the IAT, you may find it easier to pair certain attributes with one group of people compared to another. Your IAT results may depart from your personal beliefs.

Note: This site is designed for adults, aged 18 or older.

Data Privacy: Data exchanged with this site are protected by SSL encryption. Project Implicit uses the same secure hypertext transfer protocol (HTTPS) that banks use to securely transfer credit card information. This provides strong security for data transfer to and from our website. IP addresses are routinely recorded, but are completely confidential. For research purposes, data without directly identifying information is made publicly available. You can find more information on our Data Privacy page.

Important disclaimer: In reporting to you results of any IAT test that you take, we will mention possible interpretations that have a basis in research done (at the University of Washington, University of Virginia, Harvard University, and Yale University) with these tests. However, these Universities, as well as the individual researchers who have contributed to this site, make no claim for the validity of these suggested interpretations. If you are unprepared to encounter interpretations that you might find objectionable, please do not proceed further. You may prefer to examine general information about the IAT before deciding whether or not to proceed.

If you have questions about the study, please contact Project Implicit at questions@projectimplicit.net. To obtain more information about the study, ask questions about the research procedures, express concerns about your participation, or report illness, injury or other problems, please contact:

Tonya R. Moon, Ph.D.
Chair, Institutional Review Board for the Social and Behavioral Sciences
One Morton Dr Suite 500
University of Virginia, P.O. Box 800392
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0392
Email: irbsbshelp@virginia.edu
Website: https://research.virginia.edu/irb-sbs
Website for Research Participants: https://research.virginia.edu/research-participants

I am aware of the possibility of encountering interpretations of my IAT test performance with which I may not agree. Knowing this, I wish to proceed I am aware of the possibility of encountering interpretations of my IAT test performance with which I may not agree. Knowing this, I wish to proceed using a touchscreen OR using a keyboard.

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On the next page you'll be asked to select an Implicit Association Test (IAT) from a list of possible topics . We will also ask you (optionally) to report your attitudes or beliefs about these topics and provide some information about yourself.

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University LGBTQ+ Center is launching a new, student-led initiative to promote anti-racist and gender-inclusive practices on campus through a series of training that includes a history of racism, systemic discrimination, the complexities of identity-based on race/ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender, and certain language and resources to know how to intervene in bias, harassment and discrimination.

This is according to a WVU press release, which stated that the funding for this initiative is through the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Ellen Rodrigues, interim director of the LGBTQ+ Center, said the training will start in October and that the plan is to train classrooms whose professors request the training and individuals who request it on their own.

We have two goals, one is to develop leadership in students who are already active in, engaging in social justice on campus and also to continue the conversations, right, to promote a better understanding of the intersection of race with sexual orientation and gender identity. We have had a huge request list of classrooms and list of individuals requesting - I think now I have about 59 on our list.
Ellen Rodrigues - Interim Director, LGBTQ+ Center

There are five student leaders who will be leading the training sessions, Rodrigues said and they are currently working on their presentations. The plan is for them to deliver training sessions until March, she added.

This is not the first effort at WVU to promote inclusion, Rodrigues said and it certainly won't be the last initiative to attempt to do so.

"We encourage people to continue seeking other opportunities to learn and engage in anti-racist practices," Rodrigues said. "This training is just one of many efforts that has been launched on campus."

For a full break down of the program, Rodrigues suggest reading the project proposal.

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WVU launching 'Anti-Racist and Gender-Inclusive Safe Zone Training'

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University LGBTQ+ Center is launching a new, student-led initiative to promote anti-racist and gender-inclusive practices on campus through a series of training that includes a history of racism, systemic discrimination, the complexities of identity-based on race/ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender, and certain language and resources to know how to [...]

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When dark-skinned kings were leaders in Ancient Egypt, people who were light-skinned were depicted as "the pale degraded race of Arvad". Yet when kings with light skin led the nation, the dark-skinned people were given the label, "the evil race of Ish".

Source: Gossett, Thomas F. 1997. Race: The History of an Idea in America. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

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We want to know about racism on campus. If you are conformable, please tell us about any racism you may have experienced. You can leave it as an anonymous comment, and we encourage you to report the incident to DEI under the resource tab.

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Read this article to learn about the importance of being intersectional in our approach to racial justice!

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Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

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Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

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West Virginia University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture by promoting diversity, inclusion, equality, and intercultural and intercommunity outreach. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, marital or family status, pregnancy, veteran status, service in the uniformed services (as defined by state and federal law), religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or gender expression in the administration of any of its educational programs, activities, or with respect to admission or employment.

- Board of Governors Rule 1.6

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Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Home

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West Virginia University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture by promoting diversity, inclusion, equality, and intercultural and intercommunity outreach.