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What are dialogues?

The Office of Equity and Inclusion partners with other academic and administrative units as well as community organizations to host and facilitate dialogues about current socio-cultural issues and events.

These dialogues provide safe spaces where UW Tacoma campus community members to engage with their diverse perspectives and experiences, and with one another. These dialogues enhance mutual understanding and support, thus helping to foster community. Participants lean into vulnerability as they share personal experiences, listen to each other with compassion, and support one another by expressing empathy.

The 2023-2024 Equity and Inclusion Dialogues that we hosted include:

Community Gathering around the Middle East Conflict

As part of the Equity and Inclusion Dialogues that bring UW Tacoma students, staff, and faculty together to share how they are processing current domestic and global events, support one another, and build a safe and welcoming community together, Vice Chancellor Elavie Ndura facilitated a community conversation around the current conflict in the Middle East on October 19, 2023. More than 30 participants attended. They leaned into vulnerability as they shared personal experiences, listened to each other with compassion, and supported one another by expressing empathy. I am truly grateful to everyone who participated in this conversation. Your positive engagement in this work makes our community stronger. 

The Pierce County Superior Court Trial

Three Tacoma police officers faced trial for the death of Manuel "Manny" Ellis. This high-profile case caused emotional strain within the University of Washington Tacoma (UW Tacoma) community.

In response, UW Tacoma's Office of Equity and Inclusion hosted biweekly dialogue sessions for students, staff, and faculty. These sessions provided a safe space to discuss the concluded trial and connect with others who were processing the events. The sessions were held in Milgard 203 (Global Innovation & Design Lab) from 4-5pm biweekly between October 2023 -January 2024.

UW Tacoma also recognized the importance of staying informed during the trial. They recommended following coverage by the News Tribune, KNKX radio, or the Pierce County livestream. Resources were available for those who needed further support. Students could access services such as Psychological & Wellness Services, My SSP, and the Office of Equity & Inclusion. Employees could reach out to the confidential Washington Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Combatting Antisemitism and Islamophobia to Build a Beloved Community

In the last few months there has been an alarming increase in incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia across the country. Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023, both the Anti-Defamation League and the Council of American-Islamic Relations have reported an alarming rise in antisemitic, anti-Muslim/ anti-Arab incidents, including discrimination, harassment, assault, and “doxing” (searching for and publishing private or identifying information about a particular individual on the internet, typically with malicious intent). College campuses, including ours, are not immune to very disturbing trend which is antithetical to our commitment to building and nurturing a beloved community, i.e., an inclusive, safe, and welcoming community in which all our students, faculty, and staff can bring their authentic best selves and thrive in pursuing their academic and professional goals. An important step in supporting all our students, faculty, and staff is to create spaces for our community to gather and learn together about ways to stand together to combat antisemitism and islamophobia.