Race and Equity

  • ‘An occasion for unapologetic Black joy, community connection, and reeducation’: UW’s LaTaSha Levy discusses Juneteenth

    This week, President Biden signed a law making Juneteenth a national holiday. But there are myths and omissions surrounding the telling of this day and that period in history, according to LaTaSha Levy, an assistant professor of American ethnic studies at the University of Washington, and it’s critical to understand the past and present need to fight for, and celebrate, Black freedom.

    06/17/2021 | UW News
  • What does it mean to be Asian in America? We're listening

    KUOW presents a special statewide broadcast on Asian and Pacific Islander identities and experiences in America today. Douglas Ishii, assistant professor of English at the UW, is interviewed.

    06/15/2021 | KUOW
  • These are the issues Washington’s Native youth leaders are advocating for

    Three youth leaders advocated for environmental protection, legislation to ban Native mascots and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis Friday afternoon, June 11, during the Seattle CityClub’s digital series “Civic Boot Camp.” The Zoom event was moderated by Owen Oliver, who graduated from the UW in 2021 with a degree in American Indian Studies and Political Science and is of Quinault and Isleta Pueblo heritage, and featured UW student and athletic advocate Rosalie Fish of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. [This story appeared in multiple outlets]

    06/14/2021 | The Bellingham Herald
  • These are the issues Washington’s Native youth leaders are advocating for

    Three youth leaders advocated for environmental protection, legislation to ban Native mascots and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis Friday afternoon, June 11, during the Seattle CityClub’s digital series “Civic Boot Camp.” The Zoom event was moderated by Owen Oliver, who graduated from the UW in 2021 with a degree in American Indian Studies and Political Science and is of Quinault and Isleta Pueblo heritage, and featured UW student and athletic advocate Rosalie Fish of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. [This story appeared in multiple outlets]

    06/14/2021 | The Bellingham Herald
  • WWGR: African American writers having ‘a moment’ in wake of George Floyd murder

    Dr. Georgia McDade, the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. in English from the University of Washington, discusses her history as a writer.

    06/12/2021 | Kiro 7
  • In WA’s history of interracial marriage, pride and prejudice

    Dr. Quintard Taylor, professor emeritus of history, explains the history of interracial marriage in Washington.

    06/11/2021 | Crosscut
  • NW comic book chronicles Japanese Americans who fought internment

    "No-No Boy," a Seattle-set novel addressing Japanese internment has been revived by the University of Washington press. Tamiko Nimura (PhD, English, 2004) is referenced.

    06/07/2021 | Crosscut
  • Op-ed: Blackhawks name change is not a talk-radio sports question

    David McGrath of the College of the DuPage writes about criticism of his earlier op-ed suggesting that the name of the Chicago Blackhawks be changed: "This story ... about the corpses of more than 200 children found at a Canadian Indigenous boarding school may open the eyes of those same fans to the fact that the name change is not about them or their sports pleasures and preferences, but about Native American youth, victims of ethnic cleansing and atrocities on this continent for centuries — people who continue to suffer today because of dehumanizing stereotypes such as the Blackhawks logo." Stephanie Fryberg, professor of American Indian studies at the UW, is referenced.

    06/04/2021 | The Chicago Tribune
  • Opinion: ‘BIPOC’ erases by omission Latinos like me

    “BIPOC has become a trendy acronym among people interested in diversity issues, but this is not good. The ‘B’ stands for Black people, the ‘I’ is for Indigenous persons and the ‘POC’ stands for people of color. This effectively shunts Hispanics or Latinos aside,” writes Carlos Gil, professor emeritus of history at the UW.

    06/04/2021 | The Seattle Times
  • ‘Quarantining while Black’: Conference examines twin pandemics through radical listening

    Ralina Joseph, Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity Director and Presidential Term Professor in the UW Department of Communication, discusses the Center's upcoming conference.

    05/27/2021 | UW News
  • Overcoming a history of racism and misogyny—A Wing Luke webinar and discussion

    Wing Luke Museum’s “Asian American Women Rising: NOT Your Model Minority” was a masterfully crafted webinar on May 22, with the goal of inspiring viewers to participate in our democracy for the purpose of ending hate and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders\, especially women. The UW's Connie So, teaching professor of American ethnic studies, and student Tianna Andresen are quoted.

    05/27/2021 | NW Asian Weekly
  • New generations of Asian immigrants address the 'lunchbox moment'

    It is sometimes the first time Asian Americans experience racism: at school and, more specifically, in the school cafeteria. The experience has been dubbed the "lunchbox moment," when a child brings a lunch packed by their parents at home — a dish that may be from their cultural background. The UW's Michael Spencer, professor of social work, and Connie So, teaching professor of American ethnic studies, are interviewed.

    05/25/2021 | King 5 News
  • The fight to whitewash US history: ‘A drop of poison is all you need’

    At least 15 states are trying to ban schools from teaching critical race theory and the 1619 Project. Christopher Parker, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

    05/25/2021 | The Guardian
  • An Inside Look At Washington State's Policing And Race Curriculum For Recruits

    Washington has enacted a number of police reforms since George Floyd was murdered one year ago. Among them is a mandatory 8-hour course, broken up into sessions, for police recruits on the history of racism and policing. Alexes Harris, professor of sociology at the UW, is mentioned.

    05/25/2021 | WBUR
  • George Floyd anniversary: BLM got a plaza in Washington — but will the movement get police reform?

    Christopher Sebastian Parker, professor of political science, discusses what sparked the summer of social unrest.

    05/25/2021 | The Seattle Times