Puzzle
me this: Accurately constructing someone’s identity without having all the
pieces to who they are, where they are from, what they love, hate, speak etc.
At the Center for Gender Equity (CGE
aka “ge-spot”) retreat, we designed puzzle piece paper cut-outs with
descriptions of our inner most identities and had a colleague, who was
practically a stranger, try to piece together and explain our lives back to the
group. It was probably one of the most vulnerable, yet enlightening experiences
for me at Lehigh. Regardless of how many theories I read or histories I
sympathize with, this activity showed me how influential and frightening it is
to be on the other side of the a socially-constructed perspective.
I
now understand why Lehigh and the CGE ardently encourage students to practice
bLUeprint foundations, like inclusive leadership, that culminate in better and
deeper relationships. I strive to employ these guidelines in planning my
events. My CGE project, Love Your Body day & campaign, aims to impact students and staff of all genders, races, ages,
abilities, mindsets, organizations, etc, so that everyone’s
intersectional identity is represented and celebrated. It also starts a
conversation about ongoing campus sexism, racism, homophobia, ageism, and other
beliefs destroying people’s self-image. The events planned have the potential
to influence not just our school, but also society’s unwritten discriminatory
and unfair procedures.
It is important that more voices be heard and dominant
culture be awakened to communities they typically do not interact with,
blatantly critique, or deliberately undermine. The tension on campus is at an
all time high and through the CGE, I have learned how (and would suggest
others) to get more involved, meet new people, create unexpected relationships with
the faculty and staff, and get voices heard AND respected.
I
think many Lehigh students get caught up in the mainstream college experience
and forget about the dynamic communities outside Greek life. Fortunately, my Women’s, Gender, Sexuality Studies and Africana Studies double
major offers me a kaleidoscope lens to look through, seeing beauty and
opportunity in places others overlook. This is what led me to the Center for
Gender Equity. I had often walked by (collecting many pro-woman pins), but
never entered until this year. It is like walking into another universe, one
that I had been searching for throughout my past two years here. The staff and
interns are like me; we speak the same nerdy activist language. I feel truly
confident to be un-apologetically me AND get school credits!
With
a dynamic group, the “ge-spot” undeniably allows me and any person who
walks in the opportunity to unforeseen connections with individuals across campus, connections that are absent in the Greek community.
Thankfully, some of my CGE colleagues (shoutout to APhi’s Holly Gwydir) are
trying to change that.
Projects
and events I learn about whether it be CGE or Greek Allies-related, I share
with my sorority and beyond. In GPhi, I became a self-appointed deputy house
manager, decorating the bulletin boards around with upcoming events, body
positivity posters, and other creative designs that relate to the CGE and other
clubs. The change that is needed for progress to be transformational requires
action from all parties.