CARSON, Calif.--- The Department of Athletics was represented at the two-day Juneteenth
Symposium presented by the California State University on June 15-16 in Carson, Calif. Cal Poly
Humboldt Lumberjacks volleyball player
Elyse McKinney and men's basketball player
Bryce Mitchell
were a part of the team from Cal Poly Humboldt which included Cal Poly Humboldt's President Dr. Tom
Jackson, Jr.
"I was honored to be nominated to represent Cal Poly Humboldt at this symposium," said McKinney.
"There were so many eye-opening topics discussed that addressed how systematic racism is installed in
everyday life. We as the students and faculty have to work towards being aware and actively working
against what is programmed in the system and to make everyone have an equal chance with pre
proposed stereotypes while supporting all students, no matter what."
The Jacks heard from a variety of speakers on a variety of topics including Cal Poly Humboldt's Dr. Tom
Jackson, Dr. Jolene Koester (Interim Chancellor, California State University), Dr. Cornel West (Author
and Professor Emeritus, Princeton University), Dr. J. Luke Wood (Vice President for Student Affairs &
Campus Diversity and Distinguished Professor of Education at San Diego State University), Dr. Shirley Weber
(California Secretary of State), Dr. Soraya Coley (President, Cal Poly Pomona) and Dr. Thomas Parham
(President, Cal State Dominguez Hills).
"My time at the Juneteenth Symposium was wonderful," noted Mitchell. "I was able to hear numerous
speakers during the symposium and even ran into a couple of friends."
"The first day we heard from Dr. J. Luke Wood from San Diego State," added Mitchell. "Something that
resonated with me that he mentioned in his speech was "Racelighting" meaning A Prevalent Version
of Gaslighting Facing People of Color. For instance, a Black girl in kindergarten was pushed down to the
ground and reports to the teacher that she had been pushed. Then the teacher replies why do you think
you were pushed to the ground. Making it seem as she was not the victim or if she was the reason, she
got pushed because she is seen as no other than a threat or no good. Racelighting also takes on the
notion of how people verbally approach you. This is called a Micro-aggression by Dr. J. Luke Wood. "It's
not what is said, it's what's really said. For example, if a black male were to go into a gas station and
were to wonder around and a cashier yell out "Do you have money ? And Do you have an ID? What they
really mean to say is your stealing and you don't belong in my store."
During the symposium, the attendees participated in break-out sessions on how they can apply what
they learned to on campus and in their everyday life. Many of the participants in the symposium talked
about their personal experiences with injustices and everyone can participate in the changes
necessary to improve the situation.
