November 29, 2022: Power & Privilege Symposium - No More Allies

No more allies. The Power & Privilege Symposium is coming on February 23, 2023. This year’s theme, No More Allies, names the feeling shared by many in the Whitman community that we need to move beyond isolated words or gestures, and become deeply, authentically, collectively committed to social justice.

No more allies. Learning for Justice distinguishes an ally from an accomplice along these lines:

“An ally will mostly engage in activism by standing with an individual or group in a marginalized community. An accomplice will focus more on dismantling the structures that oppress that individual or group—and such work will be directed by the stakeholders in the marginalized group.”

So this is a call to action– we ask that you commit to being an accomplice by leading a session (applications are due tomorrow), by volunteering, by attending and joining the conversations needed on this campus to make meaningful progress. 

To take a step back for those new to Whitman College and who may be thinking “What exactly is all this?”– the Power & Privilege Symposium is a full day at Whitman entirely devoted to action and discussion about social justice. Through community-led workshops, discussion, panels, and shows, students, faculty, and staff join to learn together, share stories and perspectives, and imagine new ways forward to dismantle the structural oppression built into this institution and beyond. 

The Symposium also includes a keynote speaker, and the P&P leadership team is thrilled to announce that Loretta J. Ross will be this year’s keynote speaker. Loretta J. Ross was one of the 12 Black women who developed the concept of reproductive justice, and through her speaking, teaching, and activism, remains one of the most powerful voices speaking to the intersecting issues of our time. 

No more allies. Join the Power & Privilege leadership team, Loretta J. Ross, and your friends, classmates and colleagues on February 23 as an accomplice in this work. Session leadership applications are due tomorrow and we encourage you to apply—we need your voice!