News

A foundation for the difficult but rewarding, volatile but freeing and defensive but uplifting work of fighting oppression through the creation of a new student group is being laid by a handful of graduate students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and their faculty advisor. 

Cougars for Changing Campus Culture is the tentative name of the student group that its members hope will be a force in weakening, and eventually eliminating, oppression in all of its forms throughout the University community. 

“In a society where systematic injustices and discrimination are ever present, we are creating a group that works together to identify, discuss and dismantle oppression,” said Emma Bowen, a social work graduate student. “A need for such a group was made glaringly apparent after the wrongful slaying of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others prompted outcries and national, and even global, conversations about race and racism.” 

Cougars for Changing Campus Culture’s foundational theme will be accountability and personal transformation. The group will also function as a connector to groups within the SIUE community who are actively doing the work of dismantling oppression and building equity and inclusion. 

Bowen is joined by social work graduate students Clara Kaufman and Amanda Depew. Angelia Ham, instructor in the Department of Social Work, is the group’s faculty advisor. 

“Amanda and I were having informal conversations on the issue,” said Ham. “I was looking for more people, especially white people, who were intent on learning and doing more. I wanted to connect with organizations, students and colleagues who wanted to be part of the solution and initiate a shift in the culture. Amanda connected me to Emma.” 

“I come from a town that is not diverse,” said Bowen, of Pinckneyville. “But my grandmother jokes and says I was always extremely aware for a child. I had a lot of pain for others who were mistreated and devalued. I’ve taken it hard and have tried to fight against it.” 

As for the pain and biases she sees or hears about on campus, Bowen said she also takes it to heart. “My friends and I discussed ways to train others to help people in their struggles,” she said. “We went from trying to be part of a specific ally group, to identifying and broadening the battle against oppression instead of allyship. There should be that responsibility for everyone to fight oppression, and more responsibility should be on the people within the privileged groups to take on the task of undoing the bias institutionalized system that exists now.” 

Since the summer, the group has intentionally remained small, according to Bowen. “We were laying the ground work. I wanted to do this right and not quickly. We needed to understand exactly what we’re trying to do and define our objectives. I would love to change the world with this organization and fix all the problems, but we had to determine what is feasible.” 

“We recognized that we can do as much harm as good, if we are not intentional,” explained Ham. “We also want to uphold the standard of personal transformation. It’s not about being a white savior or feeling good about yourself. This work is going to be hard and is going to cost you. 

 “You can’t be effective as an anti-racist, if you don’t first start with yourself. I think a lot of white people, myself included, want to do something good, but when it gets too painful or means I lose some of my friends or come up against differing opinions, then you may begin to waver or want to quit.” 

“I don’t think our organization will appeal to those who are OK with their biases,” added Bowen. “It’s more for those who are starting to think negatively and ask questions about racism, sexism and other types of oppression and want a place to support that learning.” 

Group members, however, want to emphasize that transformation work can be a lengthy undertaking. 

“The idea is to shift the SIUE culture one student at a time,” said Ham. “We are acutely aware that it will be a long process over time, but the hope is to start with students who want to talk about these things and get involved to the extent that they are comfortable. We will come alongside them and help them through the transformational process to the extent that they want.” 

“Those students then become part of a team, and then we grow in numbers,” concluded Bowen. “Eventually there will be changed hearts, and we can send those changed hearts out to change other hearts.” 

Students interested in joining and playing an active role in building and shaping Cougars for Changing Campus Culture are asked to fill out a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TSGF5XD.  

 All students are welcome to join in the fight against oppression. This group will be especially beneficial for students within privileged groups who are starting their journey in anti-racism and anti-oppression work. Groups are also encouraged to partner with Cougars for Changing Campus Culture. 

For more information, contact ebowen@siue.edu.