A DJS Journey

A few days ago I happened to stumble upon this video from Upworthy's Facebook page: Upworthy on utilization of white privilege The reason why I think this video is important is because it highlights ways of using white privilege. There are three main points that I got from this video and I would like to share those with you. The first thing I think is important to keep in mind when discussing the topic of white privilege is that sometimes it seems that the general idea is that one can only be an ally through huge gestures. This video and this women's story shows us that's not the case. What is important to realize, in my opinion, is that in order for one to become an advocate on behalf of someone, the realization of the presence of  inequality in society today is crucial. Before I go on to my next point, I would like to give you the text book definition white privilege is; "White privilege is a set of advantages and/or  immunities  that white people benefit fro...

Two Diversity Center Alumni, Andrew Larsen ('15) and Troy Andrade ('07) were honored this year with Distinguished Pacific Lutheran University Alumni Awards. For his potential for a lifelong commitment to the university and alumni association, Andrew Larsen received the Brian C. Olson Student Leadership Award Andrew Larsen was an Anthropology and Religion double major and Political Science minor from Helena, Montana. Larsen was accomplished in and out of the classroom during his time at PLU. During his time on campus Andrew participated in a wide range of activities including Athletics, Associated Students of PLU, The Diversity Center, Student Involvement and Leadership, Residential Life, Campus Ministry, Office of Admission, Wild Hope Center for Vocation, Office of the President and the Academic Assistance Center. For all of these activities he served in a leadership role and showed his propensity to mentor and support the next generation of Lutes. His accomplishm...

Candice Hughes-Bengochea left her hometown of Sangre Grande, Trinidad and Tobago in 2004 bound for the Pacific Northwest. Having received a joint scholarship between Pacific Lutheran University and her country’s government she was bent on making an impact on the small Lutheran campus that engulfed her upon arrival. While on campus, Candice made The Diversity Center a second home. She was determined to spread her Trinidadian culture to all on campus and rallied the “Trini Posse” to host many campus Carnivals during her time. Studying Abroad to Botswana Africa opened her eyes to many global issues as she graduated as valedictorian in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology. Candice made a vow to continue the PLU mission of service to any part of the world she would encounter. Candice is now the On-Site Coordinator for the PLU’s Trinidad and Tobago Program, hosting and coordinating all activities when students arrive in Trinidad. She states “This job is extremely important to me as ...

“What are you?”  People of color have so much beef with this question and for good reason. At its heart it is an inquiry rooted in ignorance and misunderstanding of race, culture and the scope of human diversity. Regardless, it is a question that I have asked myself time and time again as a part of a long process of developing my identity as a mixed-race person. That being said, I am not mixed in that my parents are of different races. As I have thought about who I am, I have started to redefine what it means to be a mixed race person. Phenotypically I am brown skinned, black haired, and brown eyed; and while I lived in Ecuador as an exchange student, friends and family referred to me as “negrito” from time to time. By this standard I am a person of color without a doubt. People still ask me “what are you” or “where do you come from” because of my initial appearance and I have come to understand the implications of my being a POC as I navigate PLU.  On the other hand, my...

These couple of days I've been remembering the time that I finally got the courage to tell part of my story through a poem. I wrote the poem after coming back from the Border Immersion program that was offered during spring break. During my time there I learned more about myself and the history that I had with this wall that was built to keep "danger" away. This poem represents how proud I have become of coming from two individuals who put everything on the line for the American Dream!  I am Peligro– I am a Chican@ born in a land A land of the free and the home of brave A land where my worth is based by a slip of paper A paper that grants me the opportunity to do and go where I please A paper that makes me the same as some my friends, but different from own: My familia             Mi madre                   ...

We all say that we want to make a difference in the world but how many of us actually see ourselves as people who can do that? I know I didn't, even though I said that I wanted to make a difference in the world I didn't really see my self a powerful enough to do that. It was only a desire that was not a reality to me that I could actually do. That has been changing for me though. Recently someone told me that they saw me as a powerful women with the world at my feet, and it changed how I see myself. I no longer only see myself as someone who wants to make a difference but rather as someone who can make a difference. And that difference does not have to be something big. It can be just in the small things that I do. I can make choices in what I say and how I act which can impact those around me. I can voice my thoughts and experiences of life and that can make difference for how someone sees a situation or event. I can help people see how their actions impact others. ...