Raven Lirio
Copy Editor
This past Jan 15 and 16, the Associated Students of Pacific Lutheran University hosted a showing of the student-led racial justice documentary For the Culture, filmed and produced by first year Cece Chan. The event included the documentary showing as well as talks from keynote speakers Tracy Castro-Gill and Jesse Hagopian.
The documentary itself was made by Chan while still in high school in an effort to raise awareness about ethnic studies in the Seattle School District.
“I made the documentary because I don’t want students, especially students of color to have to work so hard to know that their culture and identities matter in the classroom,” Chan said. “I made it to bring awareness to our current Eurocentric curriculum and how it’s damaging the academic engagement, achievement and overall confidence of students of color.”
Students filled multiple rows in Ingram 100 to watch the short film, which contained interviews from teachers, students, community members, educators and even featured an interview with former Seattle Seahawks NFL Star Michael Bennett.
Chan hoped that her documentary would influence educators to hold them accountable for a diverse education.
“I made it so that teachers, staff, administration, and anyone with educational power can understand their calling to improve our education,” said Chan. “Events like this are important because nation is becoming more and more divided. We aren’t seeing each other for who we are. Racism is very real, especially at PLU.”
Chan said that the lack of an ethnic studies class or curriculum at PLU prompted her to screen her film here.
“It also focuses on empowering and understanding your identity. I put this event on to show PLU how in need we are in having our own ethnic studies class or more racial justice centered curriculum,” Chan said.
Marnie Richie, assistant professor of Communication, was among those in attendance. She explained that she was invited by Chan to attend the event to gain a perspective on how mentor students, particularly students of color.
“I was hoping to learn more about how to rhetorically advocate for ethnic studies at PLU, especially explain its vitality for PLU,” said Richie. “I believe faculty have a responsibility to reflect on how they value and mentor students of color.”
Richie is currently teaching a J-Term course called “Communication, Race and Surveillance,” which addresses the issues of surveillance and race in the sphere of communication. In addition to the keynote, there was a panel of students from different majors who spoke about their experience with ethnic studies and its importance in their education. The floor was then opened for questions.
“One takeaway for me is that teachers should show more positive representations of people of color,” Richie said. “The student panel illuminated the importance of teachers opening up positive effects and associations.”
The event itself was hosted by ASPLU to raise awareness of these kinds of issues present in education, particularly at our university.
“I think too often at PLU students are disengaged with attending racial justice events because they either don’t care or don’t see how it relates to them,” Chan said. “Racial justice and equity is the only way for PLU to be truly ‘value diversity’. Racism affects everyone, not just people of color. Topics like racial justice will help every student learn the true value and understanding for one another.”
The talks on both nights were well received by the audience, with lots of snaps and cheers of encouragement. There were many instances when students would actively engage with the keynote slides, some voicing their frustration or disgust with how some racial injustices are being introduced into schools.
“We have to stop disregarding injustices because you don’t feel affected by it,” Chan said. “An education without racial justice is a flawed education.”
The documentary itself is not available online, but people interested in seeing or showing the film in class can contact cece.chan@plu.edu. Chan hopes that these kinds of talks will help to bring students a better understanding of one another.
“We have to continue to break down these walls and make bridges,” Chan said. “Ethnic
studies is about unity within the community. Adding more voices and stories to the table not taking away any. Without ethnic studies, our education isn’t telling the full truth. We must improve.”
