Speaker focuses on justice, gender issues
By: Ashton Simmons
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: News
Jessica Pettitt, a social justice and diversity consultant and facilitator, challenged students to stretch their understanding of a variety of controversial subjects during her three-day stay at DePauw.
"I believe I provide educational content, facilitate conversations and bring out the job in doing the work instead of the guilt, shame, resentfulness, etc.," Pettitt said of her presentations.
Pettitt provided day-long training for Compton Center interns on Sunday and two workshops on Monday titled "Gender This!" and "Facing Trans."
"I think this is a fairly progressive campus that is looking for a different way to work on social justice issues that is inclusive of other identities, politics, religion, class, nationality, sexual identity, etc.," she said, explaining why she came to DePauw. "I see a campus trying really hard to recognize their outreach limitations while being timid, if not scared, to try something radically different in fear of not doing the right thing. Plus, Dairy Castle is only in Greencastle."
This was Pettitt's third year visiting DePauw. In the past she worked with students through the Multicultural Center, United DePauw, Residence Life and orientation.
"Over the past 3 years, I have had some of the best conversations with students, faculty and staff, and they all seem to notice who isn't at the table and just want to know the top three things to do to get 'them' there," she said.
Pettitt explained that this uncertain state paralyzes people from action, and she tries to demonstrate that if we aim for perfection, we will never feel adequately prepared for anything, and therefore never start anything.
"This is exactly what systematic and institutionalized oppression wants: no change," she said.
Valerie Rudolph, coordinator for the Compton Center for Peace and Justice, helped to bring Pettitt back to DePauw this year. She said she had met Pettitt two years before at a staff workshop.
"While she was here, we talked about our social justice work, working with students, best practices, etc.," Rudolph said. "I thought then that she would be great for the Compton Center."
Rudolph hosted Pettitt during her stay and said she greatly enjoyed her.
"We have had some great conversations about privilege, oppression and how to first recognize and then 'de-program' ourselves from the constant barrage of stereotypes and prejudices that run rampant in our society," she said. "Her presentations always make me think about what my role is in dismantling systemic oppression, the 'what can I do?' question."
Some students said they found her presentations thought-provoking.
"She impressed me most when she commented in a very Christian way about caring, loving and respecting others even those who oppose us, oppress us and differ from us, all of which Depauw could greatly benefit from," said sophomore Drew Olson.
"I believe I provide educational content, facilitate conversations and bring out the job in doing the work instead of the guilt, shame, resentfulness, etc.," Pettitt said of her presentations.
Pettitt provided day-long training for Compton Center interns on Sunday and two workshops on Monday titled "Gender This!" and "Facing Trans."
"I think this is a fairly progressive campus that is looking for a different way to work on social justice issues that is inclusive of other identities, politics, religion, class, nationality, sexual identity, etc.," she said, explaining why she came to DePauw. "I see a campus trying really hard to recognize their outreach limitations while being timid, if not scared, to try something radically different in fear of not doing the right thing. Plus, Dairy Castle is only in Greencastle."
This was Pettitt's third year visiting DePauw. In the past she worked with students through the Multicultural Center, United DePauw, Residence Life and orientation.
"Over the past 3 years, I have had some of the best conversations with students, faculty and staff, and they all seem to notice who isn't at the table and just want to know the top three things to do to get 'them' there," she said.
Pettitt explained that this uncertain state paralyzes people from action, and she tries to demonstrate that if we aim for perfection, we will never feel adequately prepared for anything, and therefore never start anything.
"This is exactly what systematic and institutionalized oppression wants: no change," she said.
Valerie Rudolph, coordinator for the Compton Center for Peace and Justice, helped to bring Pettitt back to DePauw this year. She said she had met Pettitt two years before at a staff workshop.
"While she was here, we talked about our social justice work, working with students, best practices, etc.," Rudolph said. "I thought then that she would be great for the Compton Center."
Rudolph hosted Pettitt during her stay and said she greatly enjoyed her.
"We have had some great conversations about privilege, oppression and how to first recognize and then 'de-program' ourselves from the constant barrage of stereotypes and prejudices that run rampant in our society," she said. "Her presentations always make me think about what my role is in dismantling systemic oppression, the 'what can I do?' question."
Some students said they found her presentations thought-provoking.
"She impressed me most when she commented in a very Christian way about caring, loving and respecting others even those who oppose us, oppress us and differ from us, all of which Depauw could greatly benefit from," said sophomore Drew Olson.
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