June 2, 2020 · 3 min read

Dish it Up session to reflect, expand on national protests

Aspects and Angles | Shutterstock

Protesters raise their hands in the air during a May 31 Black Lives Matter protest at the Nebraska State Capitol building. The university will host a discussion about the national protests on June 2.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln will hold a Dish it Up discussion reflecting on recent nationwide protests in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Tony McDade.

Organized by the Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Dish it Up session is noon to 1:30 p.m. June 2. Participants are free to join at any time. Details about how to participate are available online.

In a May 30 tweet, Chancellor Ronnie Green said he and his wife, Jane, were sickened by the Floyd’s death and other forms of injustice that go unseen.

“Racism in any form is wrong and has no place in our lives, our communities or institutions. Yet, it remains,” Green said. “Those of us entrusted to leading institutions must stay committed to truly listening, truly learning and to understanding our own bias.

“We need to encourage honest conversations, big and small, that can help bridge this divide and address deeply embedded histories of exclusion.”

Charlie Foster, assistant vice chancellor for inclusive student excellence, also released an OASIS statement regarding the protests.

“UNL’s core values reflect a commitment to our community feeling accepted, valued, and safe,” Foster said. “Living our values means that we all must be worried and concerned about the safety and well-being of African American and African communities, students, staff, and faculty members in times like these. Moreover, as a land grant institution, we take seriously the needs of Lincoln and the entire State of Nebraska.

“To that end, OASIS and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion want our students, staff, and faculty to know that we are here to support and care for our campus.”

All individuals planning to participate in the virtual Dish it Up session are encouraged to review a Medium article by Shenequa Golding and a “I am so tired” message by Robert M. Sellers. The articles are intended to assist conversations during the session.

Learn more about the protests and how to participate in the Dish it Up conversation.