Questions, comments, concerns, etc., about Diversity Week may be directed to
- Moji Fanimokun (mojirayo.fanimokun [at] washburn.edu)
- Alex Cuellar (alejandro.cuellar [at] washburn.edu)
2008 Co-Chairs
Cocktail Reception
- See Thursday, below, for details.
- Advance Registration Requested
Resources
Anders, Kelly, "My Turn at the Right Time: Happy Coincidence Leads to Unique Display, Positive Learning Experience," 9:9 AALL Spectrum 22 (July 2005) (381 KB PDF; requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).
2006 Co-Founders
Eunice Chwenyen Peters and Linda Eng cofounded Washburn Law Diversity Week in 2006. They were inspired to create this event when they attended a workshop entitled Overcoming Stereotypes in the Workplace at the Bay Area Asian Pacific American Law Student Association Conference hosted by Golden Gate University in San Francisco.
At the workshop, they observed one of the students share her last interview experience with the group. Specifically, she stated that her interviewer had commented that the firm had recently hired a Korean. The student, however, was not Korean. Puzzled on what to do, the student questioned the presenters whether she should have educated her interviewer or gone along with the interviewer's incorrect assumption. In that moment, Eunice and Linda both agreed that the answer to that student's question was to educate. With that in mind and a plane ride home, they decided to create Washburn Law Diversity Week.
We thank Washburn Law, the legal community, and future student co-chairs for continuing to make Washburn Law Diversity Week an annual event.
Washburn Law Diversity Week, March 31 to April 3, 2008, was established to champion the goals of educating and empowering students to actively support diversity in the legal community. Additional goals include alerting the legal community that diversity requires proactive efforts by all members of the profession. Events are designed to spark discussion among students through INDIVIDUAL viewpoints, PANEL discussions, and to CELEBRATE diversity for what it is.
By targeting the negative precedent of uniformity in our profession, events during the week provide a forum for individual viewpoints, workshops, and panel discussions to retrain our thinking. Understanding the realm of diversity can be a struggle in balancing the need for promoting one's self-awareness versus the necessity of group cohesiveness. Hence, this reason for this year's theme: Fusion or Confusion: What Does it Take to be United?
Diversity Week Activities
Throughout The Week
See Moji Fanimokun or Alex Cuellar to pick-up a lanyard and card inserts and share your INDIVIDUAL viewpoints.
- Use the cards to record your thoughts about diversity: whether it is breaking stereotypes, general thoughts about diversity, your hope for diversity in the legal community, etc.
- Wear your lanyard and cards during Diversity Week. Feel free to change your cards and share a new thought each day.
- This is your chance to speak out and share your beliefs with others in the legal community.
Together, can we make a difference.
Monday, March 31, 2008
12 to 12:50 p.m. — Room 102
If You Label Me, You Negate Me: Placing Stigmas on People
Interactive activities led by Moji Fanimokun or Alex Cuellar.
Lunch provided
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
4 to 6 p.m. — Room 120
Stereotypes: Uncovering the Myths
A viewing of the movie "Soul Man" with light discussion and afterthoughts following.
Pizza Provided
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
12 to 12:50 p.m. — Room 120
Racial Profiling: State Rights v. Individual Rights
A debate by Danielle Dempsey Swopes and Mike Watson. Both are members of the Kansas Racial Profiling Task Force.
Moderator: Alex Cuellar
Lunch Provided
Thursday, April 3, 2008
12 to 12:50 p.m. — Room 120
Assimilation: Needless or Necessity
Panel Discussion, featuring Washburn Law Faculty
Moderator: Moji Fanimokun
Lunch Provided
Thursday, April 3, 2008
4:30 to 6 p.m. — Second Floor Lobby
Cocktail Reception
Please RSVP
