The second annual ETSU Equity and Inclusion Conference has been moved online. The two day event will take place Sept. 22 and 23 and will feature Dr. Yvette M. Alex-Assensoh and Dr. Shirley Davis as the keynote speakers, as well as various other panelists.
Equity is defined as the fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups.
One obvious example of inequity that is remarkably prevalent in our society is male misogyny. I believe that, for the most part, people are overly dramatic regarding things such as this, but I have still encountered a disappointing number of men who think that women are beneath them.
Another big issue is that of race. As we all know lately from the news, racism is still an unfortunately common factor in our lives today.
Appalachians tend to get a bad reputation in regards to intolerance towards people different from them, in that many of them are assumed to be ‘bigots’ at first glance. I am not saying that some of the stereotypes against Appalachians are untrue, considering the infamous Tristan Rettke incident that took place on campus at ETSU and the “It’s OK to be White” posters that were spread across the country that somehow made their way onto campus last fall.
The conference is built to talk about these issues and many more with the help of several knowledgeable speakers on each subject.
ETSU is making strides to make all students feel included. With such a large body of students who hail from overseas and many more who are “non-traditional”, it is in the school’s best interests to make sure everyone feels safe and comfortable attending classes.
Hopefully this conference will help to open our eyes to the world around us and inspire us to knock down the invisible walls that divide our communities. Someday soon we may all begin to set aside our differences and strive to improve our human race as a whole.
