From the Desk of Diversity
Northwestern's Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter
Environmental Justice Issue
- Environmental Justice
- Words to Live By
- Did You Know?
- University Community Member Spotlight
- MN AIDS Walk
- Find a Mentor - Be a Mentor
- Links to Explore
- Days to Remember
- Earth Day - Things to Do
- Topics in Diversity
- Thank You
- Community Engagement
- Past Events
- Get Involved
- Learning & Training Opportunities
- Apply for a Scholarship
What does environmental justice mean anyway!?
I can fully appreciate that environmental justice is primarily about equity in the treatment of persons in relation to their environment. I had never fully given consideration that environmental justice is a form of social justice until now. More than 5 million people a year die from unsafe water, malaria (attributed to poor environmental management), urban air pollution, and the use of solid fuels indoors for cooking and heating. The lowest ten nations on The United Nations, Human Development Reports - Human Development Index (HDI) lost an average of 15.9% of their forest cover in 2013. Burkina Faso's population manages to live in a nation where 73.2% of the land is in a state of degradation. Developing nations have the highest fertility rates in places where deforestation is greatest. That means even larger numbers of people are expected to live where the land cannot support them.
1 in 9 people of the world don't have access to clean water and 1 in 3 lack access to sanitation.
Suddenly environmental justice has become more complicated for me. This subject always felt like a climate change talk. I can see more clearly that environmental justice is about creating quality of life and health with clean and safe access to the earth. It is easy to ignore rising seas, desertification, and unsafe water when I am so removed from these dangers. I eat organic foods, filter my drinking water, and drop my recycling in the bin. That is not going to be enough action to effect change. We can expect that our governments at all levels of administration act responsibly. We can insist that our nation be a leader in environmental care, and that might mean that we have to look closely at groundwater contamination from fracking.
My research for this article really surprised me. I did not expect that I would have such a visceral response to the topic. Climate change must be real because environmental change is real. There are literally billions of people whose right to a life of happy and healthy is at serious risk of detriment from the environment.
I have been supporting water.org for some time now. I somehow failed to bridge the gap in my thinking that social justice is tied to to environmental justice despite my interest in both. When I fail to take an environmental action, I actually aide in committing a social injustice. This I cannot abide.
Submitted by Beau Foshee, wfoshee@nwhealth.edu
Words to Live By
Did You Know?
University Community Member Spotlight
We chose to honor her this month for her commitment to living a life of social and environmental responsibility. She has served as the past president for the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Club. She also serves the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Dawn lives in an intentional community of like minded individuals whose entire cooperative living experience is meant to increase their independence from a consumer driven market. Their household consists of five adults, and they have a low impact life. They practice water containment, which is illegal in some places like California. They grow their own food, they compost their organics, and they utilize biking and transit when possible. Dawn believes that sharing skills and resources creates a lower level of consumerism. Less consumption is good for her household, good for the environment, and good for her financial needs.
Dawn, thank you for offering our community a unique set of experiences. We appreciate your commitment to social and environmental justice, and we wish you the best of luck in your future practice.
Minnesota AIDS Walk
The walk team is sponsored by the Gender and Sexuality Alliance and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. We are asking our walkers to set a realistic goal of $50-100. We are asking our community to make donations in whatever amount makes sense.
There is a rumor that Dr. Renee DeVries will be joining the team this year. We hope to see additional faculty and staff on the walk, as well.
Join our team or make a donation here!!!
Please direct any questions to Beau Foshee, Team Captain, wfoshee@nwhealth.edu or to Mike Romanski, GSA President, mromanski@nwhealth.edu
A Call to Service - Mentorship
It has been stated in different times and in different ways that what you put in to something is what you get out of it; in my own life and personal experiences I have found this to hold remarkable truth. I was recently reminded of the power behind this simple idea when I was contacted by my old friend whom I worked with previously through an LGBT mentorship program. We discussed many things as we reminisced together. However, the one thing that stood out most in my mind was how much value and pride we took in our brief time as mentors. You see, at the time, volunteering to serve as a mentor for a younger student seemed fairly trivial; I would meet with my mentee over coffee a few times a month and talk about life or whatever was going in our lives. It took years for me to realize how much that experience helped me grow personally, form unique relationships, and build a sense of pride and accomplishment, let alone the impact I had on my mentee.
There is perhaps no better way to show goodwill, catalyze personal growth, and appreciate life’s blessings than to volunteer your time and energy to others. This is something I am still learning and am continuously amazed by and the opportunities are boundless. Every community has a need for people like you and I to step-up and take initiative and lend a helping hand. Some people accomplish this by working with their hands and cleaning up dirty neighborhoods or helping an elderly neighbor while others volunteer their skills to tutor aspiring students or mentor a struggling peer. The opportunities are plentiful and the rewards are priceless.
In fact, the NWHSU campus community has many opportunities for those looking to get involved and help others. There is the NWHSU Mentorship Program which pairs students together to encourage dialogue about classes, campus resources, clubs and organizations, and the surrounding community or the Student Senate Volunteer Committee which works to foster an atmosphere of service on our campus. JEDI club recently finished up a Menstrual Products Drive to provide access of essential products to women in our community and many clubs host events to help raise awareness, funds, or supplies for others. On June 4th, the NWHSU community is celebrating Service and Appreciation Day, where the students can volunteer to help at local sites around the Bloomington area. There is no shortage of need, only a shortage of those willing to lend-a-hand. Serving others is a worthwhile endeavor and one which benefits everyone involved.
Submitted by Nathan Servey, Diversity Scholar and NWHSU Mentoring Program Vice President, nservey@nwhealth.edu
Days to Remember
- Celebrate Diversity Month
- Autism Awareness Month
- April 15 Minnesota AIDS Action Day
- April 15-16 Yom Ha-Shoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day
- April 17 National Day of Silence
- April 22 Earth Day
Earth Day - Things to Do
- TCEducate Earth Day Extravaganza (April 22)
- Mississippi River Gorge Cleanup (April 25)
Topics in Diversity: Inclusivity in Christ
Easter is often a popular season among Christians and non-Christians alike. With the arrival of spring, festively decorated eggs, and an abundance of candy, what's not to love? While I've always enjoyed these aspects of this holiday, as I mature in my faith I've found deeper meaning in the story of Christ's death and resurrection.
During the beginning stages of our walk with Christ, we often look at Easter as a somewhat simple story of Christ taking our blame so that we may have new life through Him. All right, maybe that's not so simple, but I believe as we grow we see a different significance in this story. Second to Jesus overcoming death and our salvation through His sacrifice, we find inclusivity. Prior to the coming of Christ, people lived in a world marked by religious and cultural segregation. In addition to religious differences, people that were deemed "unclean" were also excluded. When Jesus began to teach, He showed no discrimination toward anyone. In fact, Jesus was often viewed as radical because of his personal associations. Though He was questioned by the religious leaders of that time, Jesus did not stray from His mission. As He endured the cross, He opened the door for all to be included in The kingdom of God. "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)
Being involved with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion this past year has provided further evidence that my faith can be directly related to my work as a Diversity Scholar. While the concept of inclusion is not completely foreign in today's world, it is still something we strive to do. Jesus defied the cultural norms of His time by demonstrating that all are welcome in Him kingdom. I am humbled to know that I am included through my relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ, and that He extends this invitation to all who believe in Him.
In reflecting on how Jesus was inclusive in his work, I am encouraged to imitate the author and perfector of the Christian faith by including others and demonstrating love.
Submitted by Celia Peters, cpeters@nwhealth.edu
Thank You
Submitted by Michael Romanksi, GSA and JEDI President, mromanski@nwhealth.edu
Random Acts of Kindness (RAK)
If you see something, say something.
Please email Sara Cooper, scooper@nwhealth.edu, to nominate someone and make their day.
Community Engagement
Dining Out for Life is an event on April 30 where we go out to eat and raise money for the Aliveness Project, where Northwestern has a clinic partnership.
Festival of Nations: April 30th-May 3rd. Celebrating all cultures from all over the world at the St. Paul RiverCentre, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN. Advance tickets, tickets at the door, and group rates available.
The “We Are Hmong Minnesota” Exhibit will be at the Minnesota History Center from March 7-November 29, 2015. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Hmong migration to Minnesota.
The Children's Theatre Company of Minnesota is hosting Peter Pan The Musical. They changed the play so it no longer uses marginalizing, derogatory, or racist language, characters, or stereotypes. Read more here for details. The play runs from April 21-June 21, 2015.
There are several marches on May 1:
Black Lives Matter Student Walkout, May 1, 10:30-2:30, Martin Luther King Park, 4055 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis; will catch up to the Minneapolis International Worker's Day March.
Minneapolis International Worker's Day March, May 1, meet at 2:30pm at Lake and Nicollet, 5:00pm Rally outside the Government Center at 300 S. 6th St, Minneapolis.
St. Paul International Worker's Day March, May 1, 4pm, marching to the State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, St. Paul. Meeting details to be determined.
AIDS Walk - May 17 - Join or donate to NWHSU's team
NWHSU's Appreciation & Service Day - June 4 - save the date
Twin Cities Pride Festival - June 27-June 28 - visit NWHSU's booth
Dragon Festival - July 11-July 12 - See Dr. Jim Hulbert at jhulbert@nwhealth.edu to get on NWHSU's Dragon Boat Racing Team: InteGREAT!
The Office of Diversity & Inclusion is looking for health care shadowing opportunities with professionals who work with populations that have documented health care disparities.
For all outreach events, please share your interest and opportunities with diversity@nwhealth.edu.
Submitted by Alejandra Dashe, adashe@nwhealth.edu
Past Events
A Prosperous Lunar New Year, Year of the Goat
We filled the cafeteria, foyer, and lecture rooms with over 200 people enjoying music, dancing, art, clothing, food, language lessons, continuing education seminars (which maxed out participation!), decorations, acupuncture and Oriental medicine demonstrations, and happiness shared throughout. All teams worked hard to pull it together and we could not have done it with out you. See below for pictures.
Submitted by Alejandra Dashe, adashe@nwhealth.edu
Mu Daiko Performing Arts Drummers and Ying Zhang Traditional Music
Audience: eating lots of delicious appetizers from 98 Pounds.
The Mandarin for Health Professionals Class and Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
In the back toward the right: The Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine program provided demonstrations on needling, cupping, and tongue and pulse diagnoses.
Face painting and Kids Activities
Surrounding: lots of kids coloring, playing with chopsticks, and enjoying the festival.
Get Involved with Diversity & Inclusion
- Take training! See "Learning and Training Opportunities" below. Most trainings are free or low cost and can get you CEUs.
- Take the Dignity & Respect pledge.
- Join one of our cultural clubs.
- Want to write for From the Desk of Diversity? Book Club book suggestion? Engaging diversity activity idea? Contact Dr. Dashe, Beau Foshee, or Celia Peters.
Learning & Training Opportunities
- A Physician's Practical Guide to Culturally Competent Care
- Health Resources and Services Administration: Effective Communication Tools for Healthcare Professionals 100
- Immigrant and Refugee Health Online Course by the U of M Medical School Department of Global Health (and other opportunities)
- YWCA of Minneapolis Racial Justice Workshops & Events
- Rainbow Health Initiative Trainings & Presentations
- Minnesota AIDS Project
Office of Diversity & Inclusion
Email: diversity@nwhealth.edu
Website: http://nwhealth.edu/diversity/
Location: Northwestern Health Sciences, West 84th Street, Bloomington, MN, United States
Phone: 952-888-4777 235
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Northwestern-Diversity-Inclusion/678001138890536
Twitter: @NWHSU_Diversity
Senior Editor
Director, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Assistant Professor, College of Undergraduate Health Sciences
Email: adashe@nwhealth.edu
Website: http://www.nwhealth.edu/undergraduate-studies/faculty-directory/estrindashealejandra/
Editor
Student, College of Chiropractic
Email: wfoshee@nwhealth.edu
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/beau-foshee/a/58b/493
Assistant Editor
Student, College of Chiropractic
Diversity Scholar
Email: cpeters@nwhealth.edu
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/celia-peters/9b/b28/b74