Anti-racist writer , educator and commentator , Tim Wise , shared his thoughts on allyship in a moving keynote address . “ An ally is not what you are ; it ’ s what you do ,” explained Wise . “ If we understand it as a process , as opposed to this fixed thing in time , we will have a healthier attitude about our own relationship to the notion of solidarity .”
“ At the end of the day , it ’ s really about empathy and curiosity .”
— Alfred Zollar MA ’ 76 , panelist
Nearly 30 alumni and community members presented at the conference , covering a number of topics during 13 breakout sessions :
• The Keys to Allyship : What an Ally Is and the Role Allies Play in a Diverse Society
• UC San Diego and San Diego Unified School District : Working for Equity in Healthcare and Education
• The Allyship Challenge : The New White Man
• Perspectives on Allyship
• Advancing Allyship in the Workplace
• History of Student Voices : Community , Solidarity and Activism at UC San Diego
• Paving Your UC San Diego Allyship Journey : Supporting Students ’ Basic Needs
• Allyship in STEM
• Engaging International Alumni
• Engaging Graduates of the Last Decade
• Paving your UC San Diego Allyship Journey : - Practice Actionable Allyship as a Triton Volunteer - Cultivate Inclusivity with the Global Triton Community
- Connect with Alumni and Strengthen the Triton Network
All videos are available online : tritonmag . com / TLC2021
Helen Griffith ’ 81 , EdD , executive director of The Preuss School UCSD , encouraged Triton leaders to be the spark of change . “ Change is in our DNA . We were created to do this work . We ’ re created to adapt , to change , to develop , to alter , to move , to shift and to grow and forever to remain in the cycle of continuous improvement . Change is who we are — it ’ s what we do and why we exist .” She added , “ Allyship cannot be actualized unless it ’ s grounded in change .”
Keep the conversation going and join the Advancing Equity group on TritonsConnect . com
Dametrius Bedgood ’ 14 shared five moving poems from his recent book , Suspended Animation , inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic when life was put on pause . It touches on topics ranging from social issues to self-awareness .
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