Dressed all in black, students, faculty and staff of color along with allies at NYU Shanghai came together for a moment of solidarity with the students of University of Missouri (Mizzou).
Students ran awareness tables; they shared pamphlets timelined with race-related atrocities dating from pre-Mizzou to current events, informing on the power of responses from other universities and NYU Shanghai’s relevance. It sparked large conversations around race, justice, and inclusion within university spaces, including the NYU community.
“The issues at Mizzou are not just about race and diversity,” the text read, “they are also about ensuring all students have the same opportunity to learn in a safe environment.”
Participants were motivated to improve an important dialogue of community understanding and morale: How can a community ensure a supportive environment that values and uplifts all of its members?
“As an international school, NYU Shanghai has a great opportunity in promoting diversity,” imparted Maurice Reed, a senior study away student organizer.
NYU Shanghai Blackout was sponsored by: the Queer & Ally Society, Collective Voice, Shanghainese Club, 24 Frames and Intersections