2022-2023 Annual Report
Activities and Accomplishments of
The Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Social Justice
The Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Social Justice
The Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Social Justice
Academic Year 2022-2023
Annual Report
Summary
The Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Social Justice at Stonehill launched in Fall 2021 after nearly five years of planning and preparation. During the 2022-2023 academic year, we welcomed a wide swath of scholars and cultural producers discussing a wide range of topics ranging from environmental racism and Asian America to Black women’s activism and sports to health disparities in Black communities to history and whiteness. The Center played a vital role in various sorts of programming beyond just the five lectures that took place on campus. We also assembled our mission statement for the Center.
Presented in an in-person format, the programming of the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Social Justice (CRES) was designed to complement the curriculum and foster student and faculty engagement in interdisciplinary studies of race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality studies, class, and social justice.
Over the course of the year, we had nearly 1,000 people attend CRES programs, including the Center’s inaugural donor, Liz Hayden, who joined us for several of our talks over the course of the year. The mix of events ranged from public-facing and student-facing to specific events structured to support faculty scholarly production. The major lectures were open to the public. As a result, in addition to the Stonehill College community, we had residents of Brockton, Easton, and Sharon attend our events.
CRES also fostered student-faculty collaboration and student creative accomplishments, sponsoring the Hayden Family SURE (Stonehill Undergraduate Research Experience) Scholar.
Dr. Stanley Thangaraj joined as the inaugural James E. Hayden Chair for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Social Justice in July 2022. He planned all the major lectures, workshops, and student-facing events on campus while playing a key role in issuing statements in support of justice.
Under Dr. Thangaraj’s continued leadership and guidance, CRES goals for the upcoming year include four lectures including the second Hayden Lecture, assembling another undergraduate conference, creating connections with Brockton for a “freedom school,” continuing with writing workshops and brown bag sessions for junior faculty, assembling major and minor courses of study in the Center, organizing an external advisory committee, and proceeding with the cluster hire of three faculty positions.
2022-2023 Center Leadership
Steering Committee
The Center’s 2022-2023 academic year also took shape with the leadership of the steering committee of the Center. In addition to Stan Thangaraj, the members of the steering committee included faculty from across the college:
- Laura Thiemann Scales, Associate Professor of English, Steering Committee Chair
- Kirk A. Buckman, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Latin American & Caribbean Studies Program Director
- Jungyun Gill, Associate Professor of Sociology, Sociology Department Chair
- Eric G. LeFlore, Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Science
- Megan K. Mitchell, Associate Professor of Philosophy
- Anwar Mhajne, Assistant Professor of Political Science
- Andrea Opitz, Assistant Professor of English, American Studies Program Director
Public Events
The Center sponsored five public lectures in 2022-2023, planned and organized by Dr. Stan Thangaraj, Grace Gibson ’22 (former CRES and Martin Institute Administrative Assistant), and students. The events also received $2,000 and $1,000 in supporting funds from the Office of DEI and the Athletic Department, respectively. We also co-sponsored the Office of Intercultural Affairs dinner event. The distinguished scholars and writers who visited campus represented a wide range of disciplines in the social sciences, humanities, sciences, and arts. The events were well attended by students, faculty, and staff, and residents of neighboring towns.
Dr. Nadia Kim
October 2022
Dr. Nadia Kim presented on her award-winning book Refusing Death. Dr. Kim addressed the many ways that Asian American women and Latinas are organizing against environmental racism, pollution, and fighting for environmental justice. Dr. Nadia Kim is a Professor of Sociology at Loyola Marymount University in California and is a multi-book award-winning Sociologist. We had over 70 students, faculty, and staff at this event.
Justice Jam
October 2022
The Center hosted a “Justice Jam.” In this informal session, we read Audre Lorde’s writing and discussed social justice on our campus. We had 16 people in attendance that included students, faculty, and staff.
Lauren Stowell and Jenna Contreras
November 2022
Stowell and Contreras are award-winning documentary film-makers and producers. They joined us to show their feature “144.” 144 captures the powerful and intimate moments when the 144 Women’s National Basketball Association players chose to organize to shut down the 2020 season in support of Black Lives Matter. The film details the incredible work of women in fighting anti-Black racism. We had over 200 students and faculty attend with many of the sports teams represented at this event. We had a Q&A discussion with the producers after the film.
Teach-in
December 2022
We had a teach-in on the social protests in Iran and how to conceptualize it as we think about social justice. We had Anthropologist of Kurds in Iran Dr. Ahmad Mohammadpour, Kurdish artist Nuveen Barwari, and Stonehill College’s Dr. Anwar Mhajne lead the conversation. We had 20 people attend and there was a demand for more teach-ins on our campus.
Dr. Dana-Ain Davis
February 2023
Dr. Dana-Ain Davis presented on her most-recent award-winning book Reproductive Injustice: Racism, Pregnancy, and Premature Birth. In her presentation, Dr. Davis addressed the health disparities in Black communities with a focus on high rates of premature birth and infant mortality. Dr. Davis is a Professor of Anthropology at the City University of New York and the Director of the Gender Studies Program at the City University of New York. We had 70 people attend this lecture.
Dr. Asale Angel-Ajani
February 2023
Dr. Asale Angel-Ajani presented her debut novel A Country You Can Leave. This talk was co-sponsored with the English Department at Stonehill College. Dr. Angel-Ajani is one of the premier Black feminist scholars of the global drug trade, women of color’s experiences of incarceration, and justice. We had 30 people attend the talk. Dr. Asale Angel-Ajani is an Associate Professor of Anthropology, Gender Studies, and International Studies and the Director of the Gender Studies Program at the City College of New York.
Dr. Dana-Ain Davis
Dr. David Roediger
Dr. David Roediger
April 2023
Dr. David Roediger presented the Hayden Lecture, which served as the keynote for the Center’s inaugural undergraduate conference, Social Justice and The Politics of (Mis) Education. Through a conversation with Dr. Thangaraj, Dr. Roediger discussed the longer histories of whiteness that govern US History while highlighting the critical need for scholarship on race and equity. Dr. Roediger is an endowed professor of American Studies at the University of Kansas. We had over 70 people attend his lecture.
“Social Justice and the Politics of (Mis)Education” Undergraduate Conference
April 2023
Working with various students on our campus, the Center hosted the first undergraduate conference centered on social justice. We had six panels with twenty students and several hundred people attend various panels over the course of the conference. The students presenting at the conference included students from Stonehill College, Williams College, Ithaca College, Bridgewater State University, University of Vermont, University of Massachusetts-Boston, University of Pittsburgh, and University of Colorado-Boulder. Our moderators included faculty from Stonehill College, U-Mass Boston, Harvard University, Northeastern University, and Bridgewater State University.
Brown Bag Sessions
2022-2023
Over the course of the academic year, the Center organized brown bag sessions for faculty to present their scholarship and receive feedback on the pathway to publication. These are informal and supportive spaces. Dr. Eric LeFlore, Dr. Laura Scales, Dr. Jungyun Gill, and Dr. Anwar Mhajne presented and received feedback.
CRES Operations and Other Efforts
Office Space
Dr. Stan Thangaraj was initially given office space Meehan 101, but that was not a conducive space for meeting with students, faculty, and staff engaged in the work of the Center. May School of Arts & Sciences Dean Kevin Spicer worked with faculty and senior leadership to secure a larger space in May 234 as Dr. Thangaraj’s office and meeting location for the Center. Signage has been installed to promote both the location of the Center, as well as Dr. Thangaraj’s title of James E. Hayden ’76 Chair for the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Social Justice.
Spotify link for Protest Songs
With the help of Grace Gibson ’22, we were able to create a Spotify channel where students, faculty, and staff could upload their protest songs.
Administrative Assistant
Grace Gibson ’22 was the administrative assistant for CRES for Fall 2022. She was an incredible resource and helped us with all the programming and most of the paperwork with regards to honorariums, booking rooms, and catering. She received a great offer for a paralegal job and the Center did not have an administrative assistant for Spring 2023. It was difficult running the Center without such help. May School Dean Kevin Spicer has provided the Center with Erin Dzierzak as the permanent Administrative Assistant starting in Summer 2023. Ms. Dzierzak will be a critical administrative resource in supporting the logistical needs of the Center as programs and speaking engagements continue to be central to CRES offerings.
Center Statements to the Campus Community
The first statement issued by CRES to the campus community was issued condemning the Iranian state violence and the attack on protesters demanding justice in Iran after the morality police’s killing of a Kurdish Iranian woman, Jina Mahsa Amini. The second statement was issued condemning on-going police attacks and killing of Black communities. In particular, the statement was issued with relation to the killing of a young Black man, Tyre Nichols, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Hayden Family SURE Scholars
Two students, Leah Tabor ’25 and Brian Traves ’25, were selected by a committee as the Hayden Family SURE Scholars for the summer of 2023. They conducted research with Dr. Anwar Mhajne, Assistant Professor of Political Science, on “Digital Embodiments of the Women’s Protest in Iran.”
Leah and Brian worked with Dr. Mhajne to compile a database of social media posts relating to the recent protests in Iran and responses to these posts. They analyzed this data looking for how the veil—considered an important marker of Islam in all Muslim countries—was discussed on social media in response to the feminist protest in Iran. The responses to the digital artwork and data have been disseminated through social media offer great insight into how religious debates, especially about feminist issues, are framed and conducted. Social media can be a double-edged sword helping promote the protest and creating a space for censorship and backlash. They also presented the project at the September 2023 American Political Science Annual Conference in Los Angeles, California.
Leah and Brian worked with Dr. Mhajne to compile a database of social media posts relating to the recent protests in Iran and responses to these posts. They analyzed this data looking for how the veil—considered an important marker of Islam in all Muslim countries—was discussed on social media in response to the feminist protest in Iran. The responses to the digital artwork and data have been disseminated through social media offer great insight into how religious debates, especially about feminist issues, are framed and conducted. Social media can be a double-edged sword helping promote the protest and creating a space for censorship and backlash. They also presented the project at the September 2023 American Political Science Annual Conference in Los Angeles, California.
Leah Tabor '25
Brian Traves '25
Leah Tabor, Class of 2025
What research project did you complete as part of the Stonehill Undergraduate Research Experience?
Digital Embodiments of the Women’s Protest in Iran
What was the most exciting takeaway from your research experience?
My research experience has exposed me to literature, interviews, and data from individuals and communities which have historically been inadequately represented. I love having the opportunity to broaden my understanding of the world through engagement with these sources.
What aspects of the research project will help shape your personal growth and/or potential career path?
Overall, I feel as though the SURE program has helped me become more of a well-rounded learner. Researching alongside other motivated scholars and dedicated faculty has shown me the importance of creativity, communication, problem-solving, and independence. These new and improved skills will be of great benefit to me throughout my academic and professional careers.
Why did you choose to enroll at Stonehill?
I fell in love with Stonehill’s beautiful campus early on in my college decision process. I ultimately chose to enroll in Stonehill because of its many internship, research, and professional development opportunities.
What is your favorite part about being a student at Stonehill?
I am beyond grateful for all the wonderful friends and connections I have made at Stonehill. The people I have been able to surround myself with encourage and inspire me every day.
What are your professional goals and aspirations?
After graduating from Stonehill, I plan to attend law school. My ultimate career aspiration is to remain intellectually challenged and socially engaged.
Brian Traves, Class of 2025
What research project did you complete as part of the Stonehill Undergraduate Research Experience?
I completed the project Digital Embodiments of the Women’s Protest in Iran.
What was the most exciting takeaway from your research experience?
The most exciting takeaway was having the opportunity to work with brilliant professors and students to push forward the scholastic understanding of feminist revolutions.
What aspects of the research project will help shape your personal growth and/or potential career path?
My SURE experience has provided me with a myriad of opportunities for growth. Spending hundreds of hours on Twitter, I learned how to analyze vast amounts of data and communicate meaningful conclusions. Presenting at the American Political Science Association annual conference in Los Angeles will offer invaluable networking opportunities with members from all corners of the political science world.
Why did you choose to enroll at Stonehill?
I chose to enroll at Stonehill because of the student body and faculty that are clearly dedicated to social justice and growth.
What is your favorite part about being a student at Stonehill?
My favorite part of Stonehill is the welcoming community that stretches from summers with SURE scholars to night practices and weekends playing on the Stonehill Ultimate Frisbee team.
What are your professional goals and aspirations?
I don’t have any concrete plans, but I would love to work as a history teacher or for a non-profit focused on public transit.
Cluster Hire in Race, Ethnicity, and Social Justice
Provost Peter Ubertaccio and May School of Arts & Sciences Dean Kevin Spicer approved the cluster hire for the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Social Justice. The steering committee of the Center met to go over the proposals initially before writing to senior administration with the proposals that fit the mission and aims of the Center. Three of the proposals were chosen and approved by senior administration.
Starting in Fall 2023, Stonehill College will run three positions as part of the cluster hire into the Center. Each of the hires will have a home department, while also teaching for the Center. The Center will provide key mentorship and intellectual guidance, as well as professional infrastructures of support for the new hires.
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology will run a position on race and health disparities. There will be special interest with scholars looking at African American, Latinx, and indigenous communities over issues of health disparities, health outcomes, toxicity, and women of color and indigenous feminism. This position will be a key space to engage with science and technology studies while interrogating the impact of medical institutions on the health of minoritized communities.
The Department of English will run a position on post-colonialism and Black literary works. There will be a special interest with looking at Black literary works broadly across the Atlantic and in North America with an engagement with gender and sexuality studies. This position is vital to looking at the relationships between race and language while providing a very key reading practice in the service of justice.
The final position that is part of the cluster hire will be with the Department of Political Science. There will be interest in looking at American politics and race, with a focus on African-American, Latinx, and indigenous communities. We will be especially interested in candidates who look at social movements and legislation in relation to race and racism. This will provide a macro-level analysis of race and the political system in the United States of America.
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The Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Social Justice launched in fall 2021 as a new home for innovative and interdisciplinary teaching, research, and public dialogue at Stonehill College.
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