ADDI Update – March 2021

Dear Friedman Community, 

Happy Transgender Day of Visibility!  It’s a day to celebrate the successes of transgender and nonbinary people. For allies, there are some good resources here. 

Thanks to all who attended the Friedman Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Support and Action Session on 19 March and the university-wide Vigil for Mourning and Solidary on 24 March. Unfortunately, horrific incidents continue, such as the brutal attack of a 65-year old woman on Monday. Incidents of verbal and physical violence occur in Boston’s Chinatown, our campus home, and to members of our own community. There are actions to take. A member of the Tufts community put together a resource list with many concrete, actionable items; another created a reading list on AAPI experience and the politics of racism. Also, if you haven’t already, check out the Voices of Chinatown event from last December. The website has a recording of the event, in which community members discuss practical steps that Tufts can take. There is also a list of resources. 

Matt Hast is serving as the Friedman representative to the new Bias Education and Resource Team(BERT), which has the role of addressing the impact of incidents of bias that happen both within the Tufts community and externally. BERT will recommend educational programming and resources and will also develop dialogues and healing spaces for impacted community members after bias incidents occur. Many thanks to Matt for serving in this role!

Many thanks also to Courtney King, Ana Maafs, and Deanna Nappi, the ChildObesity180 subcommittee on Creating an Inclusive Physical Environment, for all the work they did to develop the Resource Guide for Creating an Inclusive Virtual Space. The guide has many useful and practical tips! In the coming months, they will turn their attention to creating an inclusive physical environment at 75 Kneeland, and Orsolya Szabo will do this for 150 Harrison. (It’s still a little hard to imagine being in person again! But this pandemic will come to an end…)

For students: on Friday, 16 April 2021 12-1 PM, I will be hosting a forum for students and alumni. I’ll provide updates on the School’s action plan, including some exciting student-led initiatives. I’ll also talk about the university-level workstream recommendations are likely to affect Friedman specifically.  Come hear what’s going on and ask any questions that you have! All students and alumni are welcome. The Zoom link is here. 

As always, please just reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions. 

Best,
Sara C. Folta, PhD
Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion

EVENTS: Food Solutions New England will be running their 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge again this year, April 5 – 25, 2021. Join with thousands of others across the US (and further afield) to learn more about race and racism in our food systems and get inspired by practical ways to dismantle white supremacist patterns while building equity, justice and liberation into the food system we are creating together. More info and registration

From a colleague at Lehman: The CUNY Institute for Health Equity’s Inaugural Speaker Series on Health Equity and Health Disparities dates are April 14th, April 28th, and May 12^th. The speakers will present research and perspectives focused on expanding methodological approaches to monitor and reduce health disparities for priority populations. Register for each session of the Inaugural Speaker Series here.

Join the Tufts community on April 15th at 6 PM in a conversation with Elle Hearns, founder of the hugely impactful Marsha P. Johnson Institute. MPJI is a Black Trans-led organization committed to protecting the human rights of Black transgender people through transformative leadership, healing, organizing, and direct action, following the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson. Hearns will be sharing with the Tufts community her experience, wisdom, and advice around activism and community. Register at go.tufts.edu/hearns. This event is co-sponsored by the Division of Student Diversity & Inclusion, Office of the Chief Diversity Officers, AS&E Diversity Fund, AS&E Dean of Student Affairs, Office for Campus Life, University Chaplaincy, and Tisch College.