White Supremacy and White Fragility: The Firing of Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 12, 2017
The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals denounces the recent dismissal of Dr. Jonathan Higgins from the Claremont Colleges. The firing of Dr. Higgins shines a bright light on entrenched white supremacy and white fragility in higher education as well as the hypocrisy at play in the free speech debate across higher education. Media outlets like The College Fix claim to ardently support free speech yet condemn and call for the termination of those who do not conform to their worldview.
We are particularly concerned about the impact that Dr. Higgins’ dismissal has on QTPOC (queer and trans people of color) students, faculty, and staff at the Claremont Colleges, as well as the message this sends to our QTPOC colleagues and students across institutions. This is not an isolated incident, but yet another example of faculty and staff of color speaking truth to their experiences of anti-Blackness and racism to be met with devastating and violent consequences. College and university leadership should stand by their employees when they are targeted for harassment, and this most recent incident demonstrates how faculty and staff members, particularly those holding marginalized identities and sharing their experiences, have been singled out by right wing media outlets and their supporters. The Consortium echoes the call by Julia Golden-Battle for student affairs professional organizations, including NASPA and ACPA, to support the dedicated professionals who serve students on a daily basis. These professional organizations must also interrogate and address how white supremacy and white fragility adversely impact the lives of our QTPOC colleagues.
We also wish to affirm our support for the Queer Resource Center of The Claremont Colleges (QRC) and the staff members currently serving in the Center. This decision to terminate Dr. Higgins was made by the Pomona College administration, and the actions taken by the administration make the QRC’s work of “actively challenging all forms of oppression, including but not limited to racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, xenophobia, classism, and ableism, and actively working toward justice, and prioritizing lived experiences and centering voices of those who have multiple marginalized identities” even more challenging.
Campuses can support Dr. Higgins’ work by employing him as a speaker and facilitator. Dr Higgins has been named a “Top 100 LGBTQ Emerging Leader” by the National Black Justice Coalition and he has “over 10 years of experience in education, social justice and grassroots movements, Dr. Higgins is focused on public speaking and working with the media on issues centered on people of color, LGBTQ storytelling and marginalized communities.” Campus administrators can also sign onto an open letter in defense of Dr. Higgins, which includes a list of demands to Dr. Miriam Feldblum,Vice President and Dean of Students and Dr. Jan Collins-Eaglin, Associate Dean of Students for Personal Success and Wellness at Pomona College.
The Consortium’s 2014 self study report indicated that 22.1% of members identified as POC while only 7% identified as Black across all levels of experience collectively. Our own field is gravely lacking in QTPOC leadership on college and university campuses. This is an important moment to center our QTPOC colleagues and students, as the violence that consistently oppresses these identities is made public and more tangible through this type of action and limits opportunities for advancement and growth within our profession. In the spring of 2016, the Consortium released our Recommendations for Supporting Trans and Queer Students of Color, which may be a helpful resource at this time. We also invite our membership to speak with members of our board at any time, including our Racial Justice Chair and People of Color Co-Chairs.
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The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals envisions higher education environments where LGBTQ people, inclusive of all of our intersecting identities, are fully liberated. We are a member-based organization working towards the liberation of LGBTQ people in higher education. We support individuals who work on campuses to educate and support people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as advocate for more inclusive policies and practices through an intersectional and racial justice framework. Learn more about the Consortium atlgbtcampus.org.
Saturday, June 17, 2017 12:00 AM
Summer Institute
For the past eight years, the Consortium board has hosted a summer planning retreat at different campuses across the U.S. As a benefit to the retreat site, we have also hosted a day-long summer institute for higher education professionals. Read on for more information about the institute and retreat.
Summer 2017 Institute at North Carolina Central University
Strategies for Resistance, Resilience, and Hope: Supporting QTPOC on College Campuses
The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, in conjunction with North Carolina Central University and the National Black Justice Coalition, is proud to offer this professional development opportunity to higher education colleagues to build networks across the region & country, discuss emerging trends in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) student services, and share knowledge and struggles in the work of supporting TQPOC students on college campuses. The institute is appropriate for all experience levels and professional roles.
Sponsored by the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, North Carolina Central University, and the National Black Justice Coalition
Consortium members: $25
Grad students (non-members): $35
Regular registration (non-members): $60
Late Registration (starting June 11th): $100
For more information or information on sliding scale opportunities for registration, contact Meg Evans (the Consortium's Support Services Chair).
Schedule
For the finalized schedule of workshops with descriptions (with room locations) please click here.
8:00-9:00 am - Check-In and Networking over Breakfast 9:00-9:30 am - Opening, Intro, NBJC & NCCU Admin welcomes 9:30-10:30 am - Opening Keynote (Aneesah Smith, Social Justice Educator & LGBTQA Activist) 10:45-11:45 am - Workshop 1 (3-4 offerings) 11:45-1:00 pm - Lunch and Panel Discussion: composed of students from North Carolina colleges and universities (PWI & HBCU) and moderated by NCCU 1:00-1:20 pm - BREAK 1:20-2:20 pm - Workshops 2 (3-4 offerings) 2:30-3:30 pm - Workshops 3 (3-4 offerings) 3:45-4:45 pm - Closing Keynote (Saby Labor, Founder of Resilient Campus LLC) 4:45-5:00 pm - NCCU/NBJC/Consortium Closing
Institute Tracks (workshops fall into one of four categories)
Allyship & Solidarity
Creating Space
Classroom & Research
Health & Wellness
Logistics
- Directions to Institute location: AlbertTurnerLawSchool: 640 Nelson St., Durham, NC - Parking: Miller Morgan lot, the Criminal Justice lot or the Nursing lot. There will be signs to guide you and parking will be free. If you need access to parking, please contact Emily Guzman ([email protected]) - Boxed lunches will be provided.
Should you have any questions, please reach out to us at the following email addresses: - Concerning parking, facilities, or directions: Contact Emily Guzman ([email protected]) - Concerning Institute schedule, food, or anything else: Contact Dr. Van Bailey & DA Dirks ([email protected])
The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals offers a unique educational opportunity to higher education professionals. At our day-long institute, professionals are invited to connect with colleagues across the region, discuss emerging trends in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) student services, and share knowledge and struggles regarding specific campus policies. Faculty for the institute are Consortium board members, local Consortium members, and other regional experts.
Participants will discuss trends in LGBTQ student services, develop collaborative structures for networking, engage in critical discussions about policies, and define strategies for sustainable campus partnerships. It is aimed at higher education professionals, administrators, and graduate students who are seeking to better serve LGBTQ campus communities.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017 03:20 PM
Thursday April 20 is Give OUT Day
The Consortium of LGBT Higher Education Resource Professionals is participating for the first time in Give OUT Day, the only national day of giving for the LGBTQ community.
Our goal this year is $7,500 to help support pipeline initiatives and our summer institute collaboration with NBJC at North Carolina Central University where our family needs extra support in this climate. We know we can do it, but only with your help!
Your gift helps us continue to fight for better campus climate, trans and non-binary inclusion in Title IX, restroom justice, elevating trans and queer voices of color, supporting staff in the profession, and more. Thank you again for believing in us.
Help the Consortium meet our $7,500 goal by donating today. And tell your friends and colleagues about our work and encourage them to donate. Please know that every donation will make a huge impact for our pipeline work and institute work at this crucial political moment.
Thank you again for your support of our work. We couldn’t do it without you.
In solidarity,
The Consortium Board
P.S. Want to make an even bigger impact for the Consortium this Give OUT Day? Sign up to become a Fundraiser for us. This link will let you set up a page with your own message that you can send to friends & colleagues to donate. Questions? Check out the how-to pageor contact KCB at [email protected] You have the most impact on your sphere of influence!
Monday, March 20, 2017 07:13 PM
Strategies for Resistance, Resilience, and Hope: Supporting QTPOC on College Campuses
2017 Summer Institute Registration & Workshop Proposals
The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, in conjunction with North Carolina Central University and the National Black Justice Coalition, is proud to offer this professional development opportunity to higher education colleagues to build networks across the region & country, discuss emerging trends in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) student services, and share knowledge and struggles in the work of supporting TQPOC students on college campuses. The institute is appropriate for all experience levels and professional roles.
Sponsored by the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, North Carolina Central University, and the National Black Justice Coalition
Consortium members: $25
Grad students (non-members): $35
Regular registration (non-members): $60
Late Registration (starting June 11th): $100
For more information or information on sliding scale opportunities for registration, contact Meg Evans (the Consortium's Support Services Chair).
Consortium Members, please login below.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017 04:33 PM
Celebrating 20 Years of the Consortium
The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals celebrated our 20 year anniversary at Creating Change 2017 in Philadelphia. Please watch the video below to learn more our organization's history.
We'd like to give a special thank you to Demere Woolway, Ph.D. for putting together this special video