Unlearn Week kicks off a yearlong conversation about anti-racism.
Unlearn Week, Calvin’s annual week of lectures and activities centered on anti-racism, is already underway. The series features lectures, discussion, films and other events aimed at kicking off a yearlong conversation about race and justice.
“Unlearn Week is important because in our lives we learn a lot of things from the media, family and friends that may just not be right about racial injustice, racism and stereotypes,” said Ebonie Atkins, an administrative assistant for the office of multicultural affairs. “It’s good to take some time to reflect on that and to focus on unlearning those assumptions.”
“Is Obama an American?”
The series begins by posting the question “Is Obama an American,” a discussion moderated by Atkins at 3:30 p.m. in the Meeter Center Lecture Hall. The discussion was inspired by the furor over President Obama’s birth certificate, she said. “We want to move the conversation to what does it mean to be an American. Who decides that? How do we view others based on where they were born and who they identify with?”
At 7 p.m. Monday in the same location representatives from the Calvin Democrats and the Calvin Conservatives will discuss their parties’ views on various issues on welfare, healthcare and immigration. “These are issues that are often tied to institutional racism,” said Atkins.
Immigration continues as the discussion topic in the Meeter Center starting at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday as Kimberly Clarke, a representative for Justice for our Neighbors, speaks on changes in the immigration law and what that means for Michigan. At 8 p.m. on Tuesday, there will be an open mic in Johnny’s Café. “That’s a time for anyone in the Calvin community to come and share poetry or music pertaining to racial injustice or an Unlearn theme,” Atkins said.
“Can a village raise this child?”
Following a 10 a.m. Chapel on Wednesday, Unlearn Week will host a panel titled “Trans-Racial Adoption: Can a Village Raise this Child?” The panel, which happens at 3:30 p.m. in the Commons Lecture Hall will feature adoptees and adoptive parents discussing what it’s like raising or being raised by someone from a different ethnicity. Wednesday will also feature a session at 7 p.m. in Hiemenga Hall 333, titled “For White Men Only.” “Oftentimes that’s a group that doesn’t come to Unlearn events. And we wanted to give them a chance to share some of their experiences and talk through their views,” said Atkins.
Running concurrently with the men’s session is one titled “For Women Only,” held in the Meeter Center Lecture Hall. “The focus of this one is what it’s like to be a professional woman. How do you balance family and professional goals? We will also talk about women of color and the struggles they face,” Atkins said.
Interracial Relationships: Love Outside the Lines
Unlearn Week will take on another challenge at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Meeter Center Lecture Hall with a panel titled "Interracial Relationships: Love Outside the Lines." Calvin faculty, staff and students will discuss how they make interracial relationships work.
The week closes with a culinary event, “Around Asia in 80 Minutes,” held at 4 p.m., Friday in the Hekman Library Lobby. “It’s a time when you can taste foods from different regions in Asia,” said Atkins of the event, sponsored by the International Student Development Office.
Unlearn Week may be stressful to plan, but it’s a valuable week for the Calvin community, she believes: “I think it keeps the conversation going on campus. I think it keeps racial reconciliation going. A lot of people talk about Unlearn events. Students go back to their dorms and talk about it. People talk about it in class. It really is a conversation starter.”
