School of Social Work Hosts Anti-Racist Symposium
Attendees share deep conversations with those who have similar interests and concerns
Sacred Heart University recently hosted its second annual “Creating Anti-Racist Solutions” symposium to spur conversations about issues that underrepresented communities face.
Organized by SHU doctoral students from the School of Social Work, the forum took place in the University’s East Theatre on West Campus. The auditorium bustled with people from Sacred Heart and the community, all eager to learn holistic, solution-focused approaches to complex issues like racialized inequities and other forms of oppression.
Frank Tuitt, vice president and chief diversity officer at the University of Connecticut, presented the keynote address, “More than a Hashtag: Nurturing HERO Excellence in Traditionally White Institutions.” He focused on strategies for enabling historically excluded and racially oppressed communities to thrive in primarily white institutions or those with a predominant white culture.
“If we are not intentional about centering race, then we render it invisible,” said Tuitt. “There is always work to be done. We need to be more comfortable with racial realities.”
He said institution leaders can no longer stand on the sidelines hoping for success. Instead, they must acknowledge the stories of people who are being oppressed and the challenges their institutions have presented.
Tuitt answered questions after his address. Connecticut state Rep. Anne Meiman Hughes (D-135) and Carla B. Monteiro, a licensed independent clinical social worker, were two among many who asked questions that elicited in-depth responses.
Hughes asked, “How can we get institutions to have the goal of belonging versus fitting in?” Tuitt responded, “It is not just about being welcome: it is about being seen and heard.” To create a sense of belonging, leaders must first determine which communities do and do not feel they are part of the institution, he said. From there, they can explore why certain communities have a sense of belonging and determine how all communities can share that feeling.
Monteiro asked, “How do you navigate as one of the only Black people in a room with those who are not willing to engage and stand up for what is right?” Tuitt responded that he’s been in that position and understands it is frustrating and exhausting. He said he was one of only two Black professors while working at another institution, so he found support outside of his immediate coworkers. He suggested Monteiro find a cohort at her institution to navigate alongside her.
Following the keynote address, participants attended breakout sessions relating to their areas of interest, including clinical/social work, community, K-12, higher education and healing. They also had the opportunity to enter “Rest is Resistance,” a room where they could disconnect from weighty conversation for quiet reflection.
"Anti-racism is a central part of SHU's social justice mission. The symposium is an example of SHU using its platform to advance social justice on campus and in the community for excluded and oppressed groups,” said Duy Nguyen, associate dean of the School of Social Work.
The School of Social Work’s faculty and doctoral students hope the symposium helps people keep the vision of anti-racism present at their respective institutions and in their daily lives.
Pictured above: speaker Frank Tuitt