Race and Equity

Since 1994, alumni and friends in the Multicultural Alumni Partnership have worked together to promote diversity at the UW and address issues of equity and diversity on our campuses and in our community. This year’s promising scholars range from early undergraduates who are still zeroing in on a major to those pursuing graduate and professional degrees.

According to recent census data, the U.S. is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse at a faster rate than predicted. Along with increased diversity comes an increase in multiracial youth, populations that Ralina Joseph, professor of communication at the UW, and Allison Briscoe-Smith are calling “Generation Mixed.” They have created a resource for educators, caregivers, parents and more in their book “Generation Mixed Goes to School: Radically Listening to Multiracial Kids.”

Racial covenants prohibited people of certain races, nationalities and religions from living in Seattle neighborhoods. A recently passed bill provides funding for the UW to search for these covenants and notify property owners. James Gregory, professor of history at the UW, is mentioned.

The pandemic saw a spike in xenophobia against Asians. Digital artist Chanee Choi, a doctoral student in digital arts and experimental media at the UW, decided to fight back in a way only she could.

A bill state lawmakers passed this month directs UW and Eastern Washington University to search for racial covenants in home deeds and notify property owners when their homes are affected. James Gregory, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

As a group, Asian Pacific Islander Americans contain multitudes: East Asians, South Asians, Polynesians, Micronesians, Melanesians. We come from wildly different regions and distinct cultural backgrounds. How did we get grouped together in the first place? And will we always remain this way? Rick Bonus, professor of American ethnic studies at the UW, is quoted.

Washington state Rep. Jesse Johnson, who majored in African American history when he attended the UW, explains his experience learning Black history in schools.

En el 2019, Toro ganó el premio Marsha L. Landolt, de la Universidad de Washington, donde trabaja desde 1994. El reconocimiento, que obtuvo por su capacidad pedagógica e interés en enseñar un área a la que muchos le temen, también la ubicó como una de las científicas colombianas más reconocidas y brillantes. (English translation: In 2019, Toro won the Marsha L. Landolt Award from the University of Washington, where she has worked since 1994. The recognition, which she obtained for her pedagogical ability and interest in teaching an area that many fear, also ranked her as one of the most recognized and brilliant Colombian scientists).

The concept of taking back Native land isn’t new. But it encapsulates more than most realize. Charlotte Coté, associate professor of American Indian studies, is quoted.

Many people across the country felt relief Tuesday as former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three charges brought against him for the murder of George Floyd. But many also felt conflicted about what the moment meant to them. Christopher Parker, professor of political science at the UW, is interviewed.

One day after a Minneapolis police officer was convicted in the death of George Floyd, Seattle’s Community Police Commission has launched a new website that aims to keep the public informed about efforts to reform the Seattle Police Department. Alexes Harris, professor of sociology at the UW, is interviewed.

Christopher Parker, professor of political science at the UW, talks about whether this historical moment will result in progress when it comes to racial justice.

Moon-Ho Jung, a professor in the department of history, discusses anti-Asian racism.

"The problem with pretext traffic stops is that when police use their discretion to decide who to pull over, they disproportionately pull over Black drivers more than white drivers, particularly within predominantly Black communities. As a result, Black drivers are searched 1.5 to 2 times as often as white drivers. The practice of pretext traffic stops allows police to surveil communities of color, over-patrol them, and pull people over," writes Alexes Harris, professor of sociology at the UW.

Jake Grumbach, political science professor, discusses the state of police reform in the United States.