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ISU Conference Aims To 'Challenge Systems Of Oppression'

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A major conference on cultural diversity in an education setting is coming to Bloomington-Normal next week.

Illinois State University's Culturally Responsive Campus Community organization is hosting more than 500 people October 24th and 25th to discuss ways to bridge gaps both on campus and in the community. In a Sound Ideas interview, conference organizer Stacey Hardin said the group surfaced at the urging of students in the aftermath of high profile police shootings of African-American males.

"They were having some negative experiences here on campus, and they did not feel safe," Hardin said. "It could have been related to the police shootings, or it may have been things that were said or done to them stemming from some other sensitive topic," she added.

The goals of the conference are to inform the campus and community about the intersectional issues surrounding marginalization and oppression. Topics include race, LGBTQA, religion, ageism, sexism, ableism, and national origin, among others.

Hardin said the timing of the conference--two weeks prior to the presidential election--is perfect.

"We're hoping to make sure we include a lot of strategies that will help attendees interact with each other in a nicer way. I'm seeing a lot of division in our country, not only within race, but class warfare. We have to heal and I hope this conference will help that," she concluded.
 

Willis is a Bloomington, IL, native. During his senior year at Bloomington High School, he finished third in the "Radio Speaking" division of the state speech contest, the only year he competed.