Welcome to the Diversity Reality Team

The Diversity Reality Team follows the same spirit of Concordia's mission towards thoughtful and informed learning:

It's Summer

"As part of Concordia's mission, the Diversity Reality Team will serve as a catalyst for positive cha/nge in promoting an understanding, respect, acceptance, and appreciation for the various backgrounds, cultures, and experiences of our diverse community."

What Do We Do?

• Provide an open forum for faculty, staff, and students to express their opinions, ideas & concerns about campus diversity
• Strive to develop engaging and thought-provoking training, events, and speakers for the campus community
• Meet regularly to determine the needs of the campus as related to diversity integration issues

Who Are We?

Members of the Diversity Reality Team come from all areas on campus, including faculty, staff, and students.  The 2008 members are:

• Cheryl Chatman
• David Anderson
• Amity Foster
• Nedra Robinson
• Michael Dorner
• Fred Bartling
• Melissa Fletcher
• Basma Ibrahim DeVries
• Michael Brooks
• Emily Stanzyk
• Tom Berkas

2008 in review

Shaped by History: Living in the Deep South During the Civil Rights Revolution

Dr. Fred Bartling, Sr (faculty emeritus) talked about his experiences during the Civil Rights movement and how they impacted his life, especially his teaching career. 

Hip-Hop Forum in March

We used this forum as an opportunity to discuss hip-hop as part of our culture--how it affect everyone.  DJ MV (Adrian Perryman) gave people a taste of old-school and new music.  It was a small forum, but several interesting points were made:

• Do we give hip/hop music/artists too much responsibility--is the music to blame?
• Why does it get such a bad rap--other music is no better/no worse?
• Idea of masculinity in the music and the misogyny a lot of people see in it

A blog has been started to provide resources and other information about hip-hop: book reviews, more discussion.  Stop by!

Profile the Backpack

We've done this activity at the CSP Staff Organization meeting, and off-campus at the MN-IACLEA conference.  It allows people to see how much we can't (and can) learn about a person simply from what they carry.  Using Concordia students' backpacks, participants create a profile of a student based on the pack.  It's both difficult and easy, and a good way to further discussion.    This powerpoint goes along with the presentation.  If you're interested in us doing the activity with your group or organization, contact any of the DRT team members.   

It's Summer.  What Should I Do Now?

 The Twin Cities is a hugely diverse area and there's a lot going on this summer (even before the State Fair starts).  Coming up soon is the Minneapolis Mosaic Celebration.  It starts June 7 on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis and runs the whole summer.  The 7th has a lot of different dance groups, bands, and artists. 

 If you're looking for good food & shopping, check out Midtown Global Market on Lake Street.  It's in what used to be a Sears warehouse and is absolutely huge.  Packed with all kinds of food--Middle Eastern, Asian, West Indian soul, Italian, Mexican--and a lot of little shops, it's a fun place to spend a few hours.  If you don't drive, the bus will take you straight there.  Catch the 21 right outside the theatre or Hyatt.  It'll take about 30 minutes.