Join the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge

Denison University has historically approached education through a lens of equity and inclusion.

Continue that Tradition: Join us in the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge starting Monday, February 8-February 28.

We made history as the first college in the nation to require students to complete a minority studies or women’s studies course as a graduation requirement. Denison was also among the early wave of universities to establish a Black Studies Program over 50 years ago. Given our shared commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive campus community, we invite each Denison faculty, staff, and student as well as local community members, to join us in the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge starting Monday, February 8-February 28.

What is the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge?

The 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge was inspired by Eddie Moore Jr. when he created a self-directed challenge to advance a deeper understanding of the intersections of race, power, privilege, disparities and oppression through intentional daily actions that could impact social change.

We are building upon Mr. Moore’s work by creating our own challenge in response to the crucial racial justice climate of this moment through action-informed, self-educated engagements that can complement our lived experiences beyond the classroom, work or home.

We will begin our 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge on Monday February 8-February 28, 2021 through a self-directed, easily accessible daily “challenge activity” rooted in Mr. Moore’s following action values to establish an equitable community: Read, Listen, Watch, Notice, Connect, Engage, Act, Reflect, Stay Inspired.

Day 1 - Monday, February 8: The Wait for Racial Equity

• Challenge Activity: Listen to the Denison University MLK Day speaker, Dr. Danielle Allen of Harvard University, for a conversation on February 8 at 4:30 pm. Keep an eye out in the coming days for more information about events with Dr. Allen. (60 minutes)
  • Bonus Resource: Read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail to reflect on the experience of racial equity nearly 50 years ago in comparison to today’s progression. Please note where you are today, in terms of understanding racial equity issues and what you hope to receive by participating in this challenge? (20 minutes)
  • Reflection: Consider journaling or engaging others to address the following questions 21-Days: What do you hope to achieve as a result of participating in this challenge? What are the anticipated barriers? How did your identity influence your experience this week? Were there experiences when you felt empowered, confident or even uncomfortable? Why actions did you take as a result of those feelings? (Time varies)

What is the time commitment for the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge?

Starting on Monday, February 8-February 28, 2021, all participants will complete a daily thematic “challenge activity” over 21 consecutive days through readings, podcast, videos and reflection spaces. Daily “ challenge activities” will expose participants to relevant historical, cultural, identity, racist and antiracist frameworks. Reflection is significant to learning in the liberal arts. Thus, we will hold the following:

• Reflection Circles will be held virtually on Saturday’s as optional communal dialogue spaces with other 21-Day Challenge participants.
• A Virtual reflection board will be available for daily reflection and dialogue.
• Social media post can be shared with #DEN21Days.

Why is the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge important?

We are embarking upon a new era of awareness, bridge-building and intentional action to address racial equity and inclusion. Denison has always sought to engage matters central to the time (Denison University Mission Statement). We would like to give the Denison community an opportunity to continue our tradition of equity and justice praxis by incorporating habits into our daily life.

The 21-Day Challenge is built on the premise that 21 days are needed to create or break any habit. At the end of the 21 days, our goal is that participants will have established habits leading to ongoing individual and collective action toward racial equity to become more (self)aware, constructive, compassionate in our activism and allyship.

While the 21-Day Challenge does not intend nor is it possible to focus on all diverse social identities, the driving focus of racial equity necessarily overlaps with equity and justice issues affecting many groups globally. This challenge acknowledges both the central role of racism and anti-Blackness in global injustices. Placing this paradigm at the center further acknowledges the leadership of diasporic communities in social change throughout history and today thus improving our shared human conditions.

The 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge exposes participants to foundational principles, practices, policies and perspectives affecting our local, national and global society. To foster a deeper understanding of inequitable outcomes and how we can all leverage our respective identities and positionalities toward the lifelong quest to dismantle unjust social structures, we invite you to join us in the 21-Day Challenge.

Who should participate in the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge?

The 21-Day Challenge is open to all members of the local community, including those in Granville and Licking County. Our hope is to have all members of the Denison community, including faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the university join us.

Thank you to all of our community and Denison University partners including: Black Student Union, Cross-Cultural Community Organizations, DCGA, First Generation Network, Hillel, Interfraternity Council, Ladies Night Out, Muslim Student Association, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Alford Community Leadership and Involvement Center, Athletics, Center for Teaching and Learning, International Student Services, Lisska Center, Office of Gender and Sexuality, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Religious and Spiritual Life, University Library, Black Studies, International Studies, Modern Languages, Queer Studies, Community Alliance for Racial Justice, Licking County NAACP, with more to be shared in forthcoming communication.

How do I sign-up to participate in the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge?

Whether you define yourself as an advocate, ally or a novice hoping to learn how to become involved, your participation confirms our communal commitment to equity and inclusion.

Please register for this transformative experience between Monday, February 1- 5. Please contact Trinidy Jeter, Assistant Dean of Students for Diversity and Inclusion with inquiries.