Pilots Prevent
November 9, 2021
At the beginning of the pandemic, no one was surprised to learn we’d have to wear a mask in public spaces (although few of us likely guessed we’d still need to do so almost two years later). But how many of us could have predicted that the pandemic would give many folks the time and space to really listen—to each other, to ourselves, and to the voices that have been calling for justice, equity, and inclusion for generations.
If there can be a silver lining to COVID-19, that’s certainly a big one, and it has inspired many people to look for ways to engage more deeply and meaningfully with historically marginalized communities. Although we’re still masked up and muddling through the pandemic, there are plenty of ways to get educated and get involved—starting with UP’s Office of International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Just take a peek at its Instagram feed and you’ll see the OIEDI’s Diversity and Inclusion Program (DIP) hasn’t missed a beat when it comes to educating the UP community. It offers a constant stream of information, not only for events on campus like free churros in the Commons for Dia de los Muertos, but also with eye-opening posts like facts about historical Supreme Court cases and the impact they’ve had on the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Instagram is the best way to get a hold of us and stay informed,” says Yuri Hernández Osorio, coordinator for Diversity & Inclusion Programs. “For every cultural celebration, we do an educational campaign there.”
November is Native American Heritage Month, and to celebrate they’ll highlight Native businesses in the community that we can all support. There will also be a screening of the film, Warrior Women on November 23 from 5-6:30 p.m. “It’s a film that allows a mother and daughter who fought for Native rights, and the daughter continues the legacy,” says Hernández Osorio. It’s open to the entire UP community and planned in collaboration with the Native American Alliance student club at UP. Keep your eyes on the DIP Instagram feed for more details. There might even be a selection of Native-owned businesses on hand selling food and artisan goods.
You can start your holiday shopping as soon as this Thursday, when a lineup of QTBIPOC artists will exhibit their work and even offer some for sale at the Our Campus, Our Canvas event at the Pilot House Plaza from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In partnership with DIP, GSP (Gender and Sexuality Partnership), and LSU (Latinx Student Union), the event will also double as an art supplies drive to benefit local community organizations.
And every month DIP hosts Stock UP, a monthly pop-up food pantry and supplies closet at the Social Work House (4903 N. Wilamettte Blvd). The last two of the year are November 19 and December 3. “It was my direct response to the food insecurity caused by the pandemic,” says Hernández Osorio. “Now, with how much the cost of food has risen because of inflation, it’s even more relevant now.”
The pantry is open to any UP community member, including current students, faculty, and staff. “It’s like a grocery store experience,” she says. “People can shop it. They can come in and say, `I need two tomatoes’ or ‘I need a gallon of milk.’”
Wrangling food donations is far too complicated at the moment, so the pantry is completely stocked by Hernández Osorio using funds she’s budgeted for it. But anyone can donate new or gently used household items, school supplies, and clothing. “We’ve received food processors, air fryers, and clothing. It’s been really great. I always say, if you were thinking about donating to Goodwill, donate to us.” And if you really want to help meet the needs of the food pantry, you can always make a gift to DIP online.
Stock UP will continue in 2022, as well OIEDI’s annual MLK Day On and its related events in January. ”We wanted to be intentional about that name,” says Hernández Osorio. “MLK Day is not a day off, to not participate or engage. We want you to be activated and engaged in the community and realize what you can be doing for the Black community on campus.”
Eduardo Contreras, associate provost for International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion, says this year’s theme is (Re)Claiming Black Joy, “and there will be a series of in-person and online events and resources leading up to it. Many details are still being planned out, but one event is a day of service on January 15. There will be an on campus lunch and a musical performance by the UP Jazz ensemble for the volunteers.” Although mostly students tend to participate, staff, faculty, and even alums are encouraged to participate too. “And in the evening of the 17th, the actual MLK Day, we’ll have an event open to the UP community and the public that will be a reflection on the theme of joy,” he says.
The best way to stay informed on MLK Day On and all the rest of OIEDI’s engaging and educational programs is through the DIP instagram page and the OIEDI website. And if you have questions, comments, or ideas related to diversity, equity, and inclusion issues, Contreras encourages folks to reach out via email (oiedi@up.edu) and stay tuned for a survey coming out in late February. “It’s a campus-wide climate survey to get a sense of how people are feeling about DEI issues,” he says. “The more people who take it, the better. The last time we did it was three years ago and only about 18 percent of students took it. But the survey responses will help us with strategic planning and support services in the future.”
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