Dear Students,
February is Black History Month, and UT has an amazing line-up of events celebrating the contributions and experiences of African Americans on campus and in Austin. In honor of Black History Month, I invite Texas Science students to join me in doing two things.
1) First, I hope everyone will participate in at least one of the events taking place online or on or near campus. Here are three that caught my attention:
- Free Black History Month Cookout hosted by University Housing and Dining on Friday, Feb. 28, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at San Jacinto Hall Multipurpose Room.
- Assembly: New Acquisitions by Contemporary Black Artists is on view until May 8, 2022 at the Blanton. This art exhibit includes two quilts from the famous Gee's Bend, Alabama quilting community. (I saw an exhibit of Gee's Bend quilts at the Whitney Museum in New York and found it stunning.)
- Black Austin Matters is a new podcast hosted by UT Professors Richard Reddick and Lisa B. Thompson. It features interviews with local leaders about the history of Black Austin and current issues related to race and Blackness in Austin.
2) My second ask is that you join me in spending some time reflecting on what your individual role can be in advancing a shared goal of our Texas Science community: making our campus a truly inclusive, supportive and friendly place that welcomes everyone. That hasn't always been UT's history, as I'm sure you know. (You can take UT Austin's Racial Geography Tour to learn more about our institution's history.) Consider taking bystander training through Be Vocal to learn how you can intervene when you observe harmful treatment of others, or find other opportunities to get involved. There are many ways here at UT to help our campus be a place where each and every person comes to know they are celebrated for who they are, and, above all, you belong here.
Best,
Dr. Drew
Joke: What do mathematicians do when it snows? They make snow angles.
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