A DJS Journey

My social media timeline catalogs photo moments of pride, celebration, mischief, and bad decisions. Despite the many incriminating photos of me with red cups and distasteful Halloween costumes, someone outside of my network would describe me as a young educated woman who is active in the outrigger paddling community and enjoys throwing a good house party. You see, I am White, and because of that, my race will provoke a positive narrative of my character regardless of my actions. #iftheygunmedown went viral after the murder of Michael Brown, a young Black male from Ferguson Missouri as a statement against the media’s radicalized and bias narrative of Black people. In the case of Michael Brown, and many other stories of people of color, the media chose photos to share with the public that depicted a single story of who he was and one that played into a negative stereotype of his race. People who have shared posts with this hastag present two photos: one of them in graduation ...

The Diversity Center has been dubbed the space with “the comfiest couches and best conversations on the PLU campus.” Most of us are familiar with the impact the physical space of The Diversity Center has had on ourselves and others. The Diversity Center has been a home away from home for many of us, providing sanctuary and family. It is a space that promotes self-exploration, conflict with civility, social action, advocacy, and community. The Diversity Center has used social media (sometimes well, other times not so much!) as an extension of our physical space. Our philosophy is that social media should be used to create a “Virtual dCenter” and offer opportunities for dialogue and sharing resources just like our physical location.We realize that not everyone can benefit from the physical space of The Diversity. Folks leave the university, move to other parts of the world, and have lives that make sitting on those couches impossible. This doesn't mean that those indivi...