Category Archives: Societal Issue

A Reflection for Christmas Break & Rejuvenation

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Interfaith prayer service

Interfaith Prayer Service – November 14, 2016 – Matt Cashore, photographer

The last final for the semester has been taken, bags packed and now you are on your way home, to friends, relatives or wherever the next four weeks will take you. B-R-E-A-T-H-E.  It seems like forever since you could just be, sit in solitude and ponder how you feel, what has occurred over the past five months. How have you evolved? Or are you the same person who stepped on campus in August?  If you are, why hasn’t there been a change? Or should there have been one?

Advent began four Sundays prior to Christmas. During Advent Season, we are called to pray and reflect. Our community has been fractured by many issues, we are called to be one and the “keepers and protectors” of our sisters and brothers.  How this is to be accomplished is the challenge. Often, it is believed that the powers that be should be the driving force to rectify the ills. In reality, everyone is charged to address the inequities, disenfranchisement and establishing an environment where every community member is felt valued, appreciated, safe and welcome.

Fr. John began the call acknowledging the divide that emerged in our community because of the contiguous election year. He stated we must work toward the common good which includes having critical dialogue that respects the dignity of all persons. During this time, I ask for each of you to determine your strategy to contribute to his request.

The 2017 Spring Semester begins on the National Holiday celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The interfaith prayer service will be in the Main Building at 11:00 p.m Monday, January 16. The second Walk The Walk Week begins the week of January 22.  Multicultural Student Programs and Services will host RAPtivist Aisha Fukushima on January 23 and co-sponsor Citizen author Claudia Rankine on January 26. RAptism is a global hip hop project highlighting how culture contributes to the universal efforts for freedom and justice by challenging apathy with awareness, ignorance with intelligence, and oppression with expression. These of two of several events occurring for more information and listing of other activities check the 2017 Walk the Walk Week site.  Both speakers compliment the fall Solidarity for Racial Justice campaign. MSPS’ Spring 2017 MLK Study of Race speakers will continue the discussion of social activism and the various forms it can take from the kneeling of Colin Kaepernick to demonstrations on college campuses and in high schools. Information will be shared on the MSPS website and Facebook page, as well as in our weekly announcements.  Feel free to contact the office either by calling or email for more information. We hope you will take advantage of these opportunities to have the critical dialogues that Fr. Jenkins referenced during the November 14 interfaith prayer service.

Have a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.

Peace,

Iris L. Outlaw

Iris L. Outlaw `90 MSA

Director

Solidarity for Racial Justice & Hispanic Heritage Month

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Honoring and respecting humanity is integral to living the mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross and our faith. With the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops designating Friday, September 9th as a Day of Prayer for peace, the Center for Social Concerns and Multicultural Student Programs and Services called for the Notre Dame Community and Nevada fans to join us in standing for Solidarity for Racial Justice.  More than one hundred and seven faculty, alumni, administrators, graduate and undergraduate students and campus visitors processed from Geddes Hall to the Jesus statute with the inscription “Come to Me” ending at Father Sorin’s statute.  Victims of the senseless violence that has plagued our Nation over the past two years were lamented throughout the thirty minute service. Thank you to those who joined our Solidarity for Racial Justice campaign. During the remainder of the fall semester, you are invited to attend events sponsored by numerous departments in support of the campaign. The next is the Book Club, where we will read Citizen by Claudia Rankine.  If you are interested in join the club, contact Kyle Lantz at the Center for Social Concerns. You should note that Ms. Rankine is scheduled to visit campus January 2017.

 

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Thank you to the companies, Notre Dame Departments and DC of ND clubs for participating in the 2016 MSPS Picnic. The afternoon was filled with good music, performances and meeting new friends and connecting with old ones. Congratulations to the winners of the numerous door prizes provided by PWC, Accenture, and KPMG.

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On September 21st MSPS’ first Hispanic Heritage event, the Interrace Forum, focused on Latinas in the Media: Stereotypes and Critiques. The attendees will be challenged to think more critically about the messages sent by media.  The first event of the MLK Study of Race Series is the Diane Guerrero Lecture. Ms. Guerrero, actress in Orange is the New Black and Jane the Virgin, will talk about her immigration reform advocacy work and growing up with undocumented and later deported parents. Please welcome Ms. Guerrero at 7:00 p.m. in DeBartolo 102 on September 26. As part of our Diversity in the Arts initiative, MSPS is sponsoring a dinner and theater trip on November 11 to see Hamilton in Chicago. Students will be eligible to enter the lottery to purchase tickets by attending designated events. Ms. Guerrero’ lecture is the first opportunity, the second will be October 10 at the lecture featuring Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, professor and director of the Center for Higher Education Enterprise at the Ohio State University.  Other opportunities will be noted in the MSPS newsletter. Tickets will only be sold via the lottery process.   If you have any questions, please feel to contact the office by emailing: msps@nd.edu or calling 574-631-6841.

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

Peace,

Iris Outlaw ` 90 MSA

Director

Welcome Class of 2020 and Returning Students

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Vigil Signs

The end of summer vacation is rapidly approaching. With that comes apprehension on the 2016 -2017 campus environment.  How will the political landscape, violence erupting throughout the country and perspective of law enforcement affect your experience at Notre Dame?  Your ideologies and arrival will determine how you and your peers will react. We, Multicultural Student Programs and Services in collaboration with the Center for Social Concerns and Notre Dame Security Police, held vigils and a march beginning mid-July. These events were to create space for people in our community to:   

  • Stand against police brutality, racial injustice, systemic oppression and all forms of violence
  • Show up for racial justice, SHALOM, care for ALL CREATION, human dignity, solidarity, the common good, the end of systemic oppression, and LOVE
  • Join together in communal lament to share our grief and our hope together and move forward as one

More than one hundred Notre Dame undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, administrators and their family members participated. These align with three of the Holy Cross Pillars: Mind – Seeking to understand; Heart – Rooting choices in values; and Family – Embracing community.   The continual dialogue has resulted in an action plan for those who want to join the conversation about solidarity dignity, and the ending of systemic oppression.  Watch for announcements of upcoming events advertised through various media.

First Year students, I strongly encourage you to participate in the various Welcome Weekend Events (https://welcomeweekend.nd.edu/schedules/). You will observe a sense of the culture of Our Lady’s University and the journey you are embarking on for the next four years. Opportunities to consider during your tenure will also be shared in numerous events. At the Multicultural Reception on Saturday, August 20 6:00 p.m. in the Leighton Hall, Justin Ruiz, professor in American Studies, students and their  mentors will talk about expectations, experiences available, and how to maximize your time at Notre Dame while leaving your legacy.

Yvette R  Students, please welcome Yvette Rodriguez, MSPS Assistant Director for Programming to ND.  Yvette joined the MSPS Team in July. She has been working feverishly preparing for the MSPS Leadership Summit and securing speakers for the 2016 – 2017 MSPS MLK Study of Race Series. We have selected the play for the Diversity of the Arts event. The unveiling of the play will occur in September. Watch the MSPS newsletter for the announcement. Limited tickets are available.

Please mark your calendar for the Welcome Back Picnic on September 13, at 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The first Interrace Forum will be on September 21 5:30 p.m. in the McNeill Room.  In respect of Hispanic Heritage Month, we will discuss Latinas in the Media.  As a hint, this alludes to our speaker who will join us the following week.

Campus Ministry is hosting their Multicultural First Year Retreats beginning the weekend of August 27 – 28 and September 3 -4.  Visit their website for more information http://campusministry.nd.edu/undergraduate-resources/multi-cultural-resources/retreats/.

If you have questions about these events or information shared, please email: msps@nd.edu.

Have a Blessed 2016 – 2017 Academic Year and Safe Travels,

Peace,

Iris L. Outlaw

Ms. Iris Outlaw, `90 MSA

Director