If we’re going to make this world a better place, we have to do it together.
CSN President Michael Richards: “It’s meetings like this today that help us to make progress.”
That was the main message at today’s Frederick Douglass Lecture Series event, Eracism: An event to eliminate racism and inequality in America.
Held on the Cheyenne campus and hosted by CSN communication professor Arnold Bell, the event presented awards to local civil rights pioneers Hannah Brown and June Whitley, a former Nevada System of Higher Education regent.
“It’s meetings like this today that help us to make progress,” CSN President Michael Richards told a standing-room-only crowd.
CSN President Michael Richards, seated on left, with former NSHE Regent June Whitley, in the middle, Hannah Brown, and in the back row from the left, former CSN student Jerrell Roberts, Lewis Whitley and CSN professor Arnold Bell.
“Each award is designed to symbolize Frederick Douglass’ three components of success, including a belief in oneself, taking advantage of every opportunity, and using the power of spoken and written language to affect positive change, explained Bell, who has organized the series every year for five years. “With the events that have happened at the University of Missouri, Yale and UNLV, there is no better time to address this issue and let people come together to honor those who have helped pave the way as we continue to strive for equality.”
Richards told the gathered students, faculty, staff and community members that CSN is dedicated to improving diversity and inclusion among its ranks, recently beefing up the staff of its multicultural affairs office.
“We are all God’s children,” he said, “and we need to care about one another. We need to listen to one another.
Several CSN students spoke, as well, including Lorraine Avenido, who talked about how people stereotype her as an Asian-American, and Synet Hines, who advocated for reforms in the criminal justice system that would establish federal rules for investigating police-involved shootings.
“Now is not the time to sit back and be silent,” Hines said. “Now is not the time to be reserved. Now is the time for change.”
Hannah Brown: “You may not realize it now, but the effort you’re putting into your learning experience now will pay off for the rest of your life.”
Brown, who was presented the CSN Frederick Douglass Humanitarian Award and acted as the keynote speaker, told her story, which included being discriminated against on the job, refusing to accept that, and excelling in her career.
She told the students that she was proud of them for getting an education, as well. “You may not realize it now, but the effort you’re putting into your learning experience now will pay off for the rest of your life,” she said.
In concluding the event, Richards presented Brown with her humanitarian award, and also presented Whitley with the Frederick Douglass Lifetime Achievement Award. “You’re an absolute inspiration,” he told her. “Thank you.”