The Power & Privilege Symposium
What is the Power & Privilege Symposium?
The Power & Privilege Symposium is designed to make space for conversations about structural oppression and how they manifest themselves on the Whitman College campus and beyond. Topics include racism, sexism, ableism, capitalism and more. The community unites to support the lectures, panels, discussions and showcases created by our peers. The symposium strives to educate the community about the power structures prevailing around the world, questioning many of the paradigms which have socialized us. Our mission as a team is to create an environment that interrogates hard questions and the relationships, and structures of power and privilege.
2025 Theme: Reclaiming Hope: Resilience and Resistance in Action
In a time of ongoing political, social, and personal challenges, hope stands more than an abstract ideal; it can be a transformative force that empowers us to resist and rebuild. Under the theme Reclaiming Hope: Resilience and Resistance in Action, the 2025 Power and Privilege Symposium offers a unique opportunity for our community to come together and engage in conversations surrounding pressing issues that shape our communities and the broader world. Through dynamic conversations, workshops, panel discussions, and artistic exhibitions, the symposium aims to highlight the stories of resilience and resistance on campus and beyond. We hope these stories and experiences promote a holistic understanding in our community and of the shared role we have in fostering a more just society.
In recent times, the pertinence of resilience and resistance is undeniable. As we bear witness to current wars, oppression, and humanitarian crises around the world, we are being constantly reminded of the pervasive forces that threaten peace, equity, and justice. We must acknowledge the ongoing protests on campus regarding the genocide in Gaza, the wars in Ukraine and elsewhere around the world, the intense pressures surrounding U.S. electoral politics, global climate change, anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation, and rampant issues regarding accessibility.
These global struggles are not isolated from our lives – they reverberate into our communities, affecting us personally and collectively.
This year’s symposium aims to serve as a space to continue processing these challenges so that we may in turn understand the nuances of community work, and entice action and reclaim hope for our campus and global community. By reclaiming hope and engaging in resistance, we will affirm our commitment to a world where resilience becomes an act of solidarity and a means of building a future rooted in compassion, justice, and transformative change.
If this year’s theme resonates with you, consider applying to be a 2025 P&P session leader by the end of the day on December 6th, 2024. We encourage all Whitman students, staff, faculty, and administration, as well as Walla Walla community members, to apply!
Other ways to contribute to this year’s symposium include:
Students, Faculty and Staff: Volunteer for the day of P&P
Faculty, Staff: Sponsor/mentor a student session leader
Faculty: Lead a pre or after the Symposium Dialogue
Sincerely,
Power and Privilege Symposium Executive Team 2024–2025
Angela Eliacy, Gauri Vaidya, Ariadna Villavicencio, Spenser Lamphear, Yael Hensen Anaya, Vinson Russell