Rising spring temperatures came just in time for a vibrant week of celebration put on by the Student Government Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. Davidson College’s first annual “Diversity Week” featured collaborations between student leaders and 25 student organizations to discuss and celebrate diversity on campus.
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dr. Chloe Poston emphasized that the week was a student-led initiative. “I’ve simply been advising on different events and ways to frame the week, ways to publicize the week, and also thinking about different partnerships that the Committee should consider […] going forward,” Poston said.
DEI Committee Co-Chair Greg Coppola ‘27 estimates SGA spent about $13,000 throughout the week, most of which was spent on bringing six free food trucks to campus on Saturday. Funds were provided by partnering organizations, including the Dean of Students Office, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office, student-led organizations and academic departments. Poston confirmed that her office provided financial support to ensure that the week could be as successful as possible.
Each member of the DEI Committee took responsibility for a different day and coordinated those specific events. “We wanted to be informational, educational and increase the connections and relationships between all students on campus,” Alma Abuein ‘27, co-chair of the DEI Committee, said.
Monday kicked off the festivities with “Africa/African Diaspora Day.” The DEI Committee, in collaboration with the Davidson African Student Association, Black Student Coalition, Black Femmes, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., organized “Mapping the Motherland” in Union, asking students to identity and engage with countries in Africa and the Caribbean.
Tuesday was celebrated as “Asia Day.” The Dean Rusk Global Corps (DRGC) and South Asian Student Association (SASA) collaborated with the DEI Committee to hold DRGC’s monthly “Tea Time.” The “April Tea Time” was centered around a discussion on the Rohingya Muslim Refugee Crisis in Bangladesh and India, while also providing students with free chai and samosas. More than a dozen students held a meaningful conversation around the history of the refugee crisis out of Myanmar and the contemporary role of the Bangladesh and Indian governments. The event was followed by a lecture from Assistant Professor of Art and Chinese Studies Dr. Yukina Zhang and Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. Keren Zhu. While Zhang spoke on “Vogue Chang’an: Gender and Fashion in 8th Century China,” Zhu’s lecture used e-commerce Chinese fashion sales in Africa as a case study to discuss China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its impact on the Global South.
In addition to these events, the DEI Committee collaborated with the Chinese Cultural Club, Pan Asian Student Association, Board Games Club, SASA and the Middle Eastern and North African Student Association to hold “Arts and Games Night.” The event featured a range of Asian arts and games, including henna, Chinese calligraphy, Middle Eastern embroidery and Mahjong.
Lily Ogawa ‘28, a member of the DEI Committee, emphasized that the goal was to “spread cultural awareness surrounding Asian art, games and the community as a whole.”
Wednesday marked the “Latin American/Caribbean Day.” The Delta Omega Chapter of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Alpha Gamma Chapter of Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc. and the Brazilian Student Association (BRASA) were all collaborators. They offered coffee tastings from different countries like Peru, Brazil and Cuba in the morning. In the evening, students enjoyed food from across Latin America while watching the internationally co-produced movie “Pelo Malo,” which explores racism and homophobia in Latin America, amongst many other social issues, in the Lilly Family Gallery.
Thursday was a day centered around religious celebration. The DEI Committee, UKirk (the Presbyterian Campus Ministry at Davidson College), Muslim Student Association (MSA), Jewish Student Association and the Catholic Campus Ministry started “Religious & Spiritual Life Day” by hosting an ice cream social with Whit’s ice cream. In the afternoon, students had the opportunity to engage in a meaningful Q&A with members from different religious organizations on campus during the “Hot Ones” event. The day ended with a symbol-making event encouraging discussions around faith and religion.
Vice President of MSA Rimsha Syed ‘27 described what went into making one of these days happen. “We met to discuss how to make a space that included room for getting to know people from different organizations, while also talking about how the religious and spiritual spaces we are a part of shape our experience at Davidson,” she said. “[This day] provided an opportunity for interfaith dialogue that students hope to see more of.”
Friday was “Gender & Sexuality Identity Day” on campus. The DEI Committee, Queers & Allies (Q&A), Girls in STEM, You Are Not A Stranger Here and Students Against Sexual Violence came together to organize an arts and crafts event. Students enjoyed donuts, making their own art from scratch and creating friendship bracelets. Student organizations tied a bow on the day with a screening of the iconic “But I’m a Cheerleader” and Mandolino’s pizza.
The week ended with a “Food Truck Festival” on Saturday, which featured food trucks that served a variety of cuisines. From Felix’s Homemade Empanadas to Dumpling Girls, they took care of both students’ dietary needs and the needs of a foodie’s soul.
In a time when DEI policies and their validity are being questioned, Poston and the DEI Committee remained steadfast in their commitment to Diversity Week. “[The Committee] said it’s incredibly important that we celebrate the diversity in our community and highlight the rich cultural tapestry that we have on our campus,” Poston said. “Whether those are people with differences in race or ethnicity, gender, ability or sexual orientation, it’s important for us to make sure that everyone can recognize that these people are part of our community here and to recognize some of the amazing strengths that they bring to us.”
“I think the really awesome thing about Diversity Week as a whole is that we wanted to kind of take [the national political environment] out of the picture,” Coppola said. “I think the work we actually do truly fosters community.”
