Last weekend, the Multicultural Unity and Student Involvement Council, better known as MUSIC, held its second annual DIVE RI Conference.
DIVE, which stands for Diversifying Individuals Via Education, is a two-day student-run and student-led event. The purpose of this conference is to engage students in a meaningful discussion on race and ethnicity issues that would not normally be talked about in a traditional classroom environment.
“I want everyone to use what they get out of the conference and take it back to their campuses,†Zulmy Cortez, president of MUSIC, said. The conference is aimed to broaden students’ horizons and allow them the tools to be agents of social change.
On Friday, the conference opened with keynote speaker Tricia Rose, Ph. D. She focused heavily on explaining structural oppression and urging people to move away from individualism, the idea that success is based solely on merit, which perpetuates the acceptance of the status quo. She also focused on becoming more community based to then allow for collective action and progression.
After Rose’s presentation, participants had the opportunity to watch the film “Selma†in Edwards Auditorium, and the night ended with late-night karaoke. The second day started with two guest speakers, Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza. Gorbea stressed the importance of voting. She focused on emphasizing the need for community members who are eligible voters, to represent their community when they do cast their votes.
Elorza then took the stage to speak about overcoming adversity. He shared his own experiences and even talked a bit about his time at URI. The introductions were followed by a wide variety of workshops for the students, facilitators and all participants to attend.
“It was wonderful to see students from all diverse backgrounds come together as a community to share their perspectives and grow together,†said Michelle Fontes-Barros, co-chair on the university’s Equity Council, who attended some of the workshops.
There were not only URI students that attended the conference, but many students from neighboring states and colleges attended DIVE RI.
The next event scheduled was the world cafe activity, held in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Here, the members of DIVE RI and other facilitators were assigned tables where students would come and sit in groups to engage in discussion. The activity simulated a type of speed dating, where students and other participants were given time at each table to discuss certain topics pertaining to issues of race and ethnicity. This was meant to encourage conversations that tightly structured classes don’t allow for.
Finally, the conference came to a close with a special presentation by keynote speaker Common. Common, who was brought to the university through the Student Entertainment Committee, spoke about the importance of staying true to one’s self. He summarized his speech in one sentence. “Believe in yourself, find your purpose and live your purpose.â€