Portland State U. BIPOC Discussion Series Separates Participants by Race

Portland State U. BIPOC Discussion Series Separates Participants by Race

The school’s office of diversity and inclusion was behind this, naturally.

Campus Reform reports:

University separates participants by race in BIPOC discussion series

Portland State University (PSU) recently hosted the last in a series of events that separated participants by race.

“The Future and Thriving of BIPOC Communities Macro Convening,” an initiative of PSU’s office of Global Diversity & Inclusion, “centered around discussions of the future of thriving and joy of BIPOC communities in and around Portland, and what role PSU has in bringing this future to bear.”

“Participants were invited to sit at a table that resonated with their identity (including Black, Latinx, White, Native American and Multicultural, as a few examples) for the first part of the day, and shifted to tables by discussion topic later in the day,” Katy Swordfisk, PSU’s Media Relations Manager, told Campus Reform.

The “Macro Convening” took place after PSU hosted five other convenings based on race, or affinity group, including “Latiné Futures” and “Convening for a Thriving Future for Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, Asian, and Asian American Communities (PIAA).”

The final event “advance[d] the work that has emerged from previous affinity summits and convenings,” according to the Global Diversity & Inclusion website.

A presentation from the Macro Convening shows guest seating instructions. “You are also welcome to self define multicultural and intersectional tables that extend beyond single definitions,” the presentation reads, giving “Women of color,” “QTPOC,” “folks with disabilities,” and “refugee” as examples.

Leads from previous convenings presented their findings. Their groups had recommended, as a summary notes, to provide “[d]emographic-focused scholarships,” “combat and interrupt bias and oppressive behaviors” on campus, and create “a curriculum that is culturally inclusive, relevant, and responsive.”

In the afternoon, participants grouped themselves by topics such as “Economic justice and wealth creation” and “Climate Justice.” The Macro Convening concluded with participants discussing how to implement the affinity groups’ ideas.

One of the last slides of the presentation thanks President Stephen Percy, who made “Acting on Equity and Racial Justice” one of his strategic priorities.

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