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I rise for our undocumented people whose voices are silenced. Our voices are silenced as soon as we internalize the belief that living in the shadows is our best chance at assimilating. We know this is oppression, but it keeps us relatively safe from deportation, discrimination, prejudice and their ripple effects that wound our families and spirits of life. Essentially, our shelter in the shadows is living fear in silence.

Like many of the 11 million undocumented immigrants in this country, I was born on the “wrong” side of the border. My home country is Mexico, Mexico City where I recollect 7 years worth of wonderful countryside memories with my mom’s family. I also vividly remember my crises of identity when I realized I was the abandoned child in the family. As a single mother and head of the household, my mom worked vehemently with a desperate heart for our reunion. In 2005, “coyotes” brought me over the border, across grasslands and from underground housing networks to my mother-daughter reunion. While we did bond effortlessly, I was well aware of my suppressed resentment toward my mom’s decision; a decision I felt placed me in a deeper crisis of identity than ever before. After many reflections and questions, I have come to understand and respect her valiant decision.

Shortly after making peace with the decision that flipped my world on its head, the 2016 election happened. I could not stop crying. Feelings of betrayal, anxiety, and confusion pained my mind and body. Then, everything changed when my dear friend asked me to speak out. You see, I am an immigrant with privilege in this country. DACA temporarily protects me from deportation, and it grants me permission to work here. Most importantly, it gives way for the peace of mind many undocumented immigrants are very likely to never experience. I am an immigrant with privilege.

When my dear friend asked me to advocate and organize for change, it dawned on me that I could no longer remain silent. Had I rejected her hand for help, I would have done a great injustice to her, my loved ones, our fighters in the shadows, and myself.

Half-time Administrative Assistant – contractual (on an if and when basis)

The incumbent will assist with the management of the Inclusion Imperative Programs run by the Dresher Center for the Humanities. These programs include: the Visiting Faculty Fellowship for Diversity, the Diversity Teaching Network, and the Humanities Teaching Labs. Specific duties include: grants accounting and budgeting; coordinating among participating institutional partners; managing day-to-day operations for all three programs; coordinating the faculty fellowship application and selection process; coordinating the annual symposium of the Diversity Teaching Network; coordinating other events and workshops and other duties as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 Requires a Bachelor’s degree and experience in coordinating programs and/or events. The successful candidate must be able to: work both independently and on a team; collaborate effectively with staff, faculty, and external constituents; be detail oriented; possess good written, communication and organizational skills; and function efficiently & effectively in a fast-paced Center environment. Must be familiar with various computer software applications such as Microsoft Office, Adobe, Google Calendar. Prior experience with budgeting and reporting desirable. NOTE: This position will require a background check.

SALARY: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position does not carry fringe benefits.

APPLICATION: For best consideration, submit a cover letter, resume, and names and contact information of three professional references in a single PDF file by November 10, 2017 (resumes will be accepted until the position is filled) to dreshercenter@umbc.edu

As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.

UMBC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Register now for our exciting new special topics course with Dr. Camee Maddox-Wingfield, 

ANTH 397:  Contemporary Life in the Caribbean.

Explore contemporary Caribbean cultures and challenge commonly held stereotypes about this region and its people.  

INSTRUCTOR:  Dr. Camee Maddox-Wingfield

TIME:  Tue/Thur 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

LOCATION:  TBD

See attached flyer for course description

Located on the bottom floor of the Commons, the Women’s Center is one of UMBC’s hidden treasures on campus. It is the only center dedicated specifically to women in the University System of Maryland, which includes 12 public colleges and universities, and it is one of two women’s centers in all of the colleges in Maryland.

UMBC graduate student and Special Projects coordinator of the Women’s Center, Amelia Meman, said, “We are unique because we are tasked to do incredibly difficult work. Originally, we were created to assist women who were returning to school. Now we’ve broadened what it means by talking about intersectional feminism. We also cover LGBTQ+ issues, issues of race, ethnicity, documentation, as well as sexual violence. We are a place where all of these marginalized communities that do exist on campus can feel supported and at home even when it doesn’t always feel very comfortable or hospitable at UMBC or in the world.”

The center is home to several student organizations and provides numerous sources for students on campus including identity-related discussion groups like the Women of Color Coalition, and Between Women and Spectrum, which is a group for trans and non-binary identifying students.

These groups provide various ways for UMBC students in marginalized communities to interact and grow a community together. They also provide round table series and  other events that focus on raising awareness on different issues in the community.

Briscoe Turner, a freshman psychology major who is a member of the Women of Color Coalition, said, “I think the coalition is important because it provides women of color a source of support and empowerment. You are around people who truly understand the challenges you face everyday.”

Along with support and awareness groups, the Women’s Center hosts two major events during the school year. This week marks the Women’s Center Fifth Annual Critical Social Justice (CSJ) program. This year, the Women’s Center focused the week’s events around building individual and collective resistance and resilience through the theme of “Rise.” They will be discussing the need for activism as well as providing tools that allow the campus community to be resilient in social justice work.

Chalking for Change is the first event of the week. Taking place on academic row, the center invites people to come out and answer the question, “What do you rise for?”

Other events of the week include a panel discussion about the idea of resistance and resilience as well as a public art display of The Monument Quilt, which is an on-going collection of stories from survivors of rape. The quilt will be displayed on Erickson Lawn on Thursday Oct. 26. A quilt-making workshop will also be held in the Albin O. Kuhn Library that Thursday.

The CSJ Keynote speaker, Adrienne Keene of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, writes about cultural appropriation and stereotypes of Native peoples in pop culture on her blog ‘Native Appropriations.’ She will speak at campus on Tuesday, Oct. 24.

Meman said, “Given the political atmosphere we’re in today, I hope we, the Women’s Center, can be a voice for the people who are are negatively impacted by the atmosphere. We want CSJ and the Women’s center to be a space where you can feel empowered.”

We're looking for hardworking and personable Theatre Technicians to join our events team! This position would be PT and scheduled as needed. This position would report directly to the Operations and Rentals Manager.

Job responsibilities would include:

- Working with performers and renters to ensure a successful event

- Set up the performance space according to floor plans and stage plots

- Live sound mixing

- Basic lighting design

- Maintaining technical equipment before and after each event

We're looking for hardworking and personable Theatre Technicians to join our events team! This position would be PT and scheduled as needed. This position would report directly to the Operations and Rentals Manager.

Job responsibilities would include:

- Working with performers and renters to ensure a successful event

- Set up the performance space according to floor plans and stage plots

- Live sound mixing

- Basic lighting design

- Maintaining technical equipment before and after each event