As many of you know, the University of Miami has supported the One Book, One U program since 2017 when Professors Chantel Acevedo (English) and Osamudia James (Law) received a SEEDS grant to establish a common reading program.  The Office of Institutional Culture then became a strategic partner, citing the program’s alignment with the Quad Report for the Culture of Belonging and the program continued its mission of promoting discussions of diversity, equity, and inclusion.   

As we approach the 2020-21 academic year, the UM community continues to feel the effects of our nation’s struggle with racial justice and our society’s general reluctance to address institutional racism, the concept of white privilege, and police brutality.  For people of color in particular, the societal wounds are profound and demand the attention of every member of our community.  As such, our selection committee, comprised of representatives from every school/college, the student body, and other key stakeholders, decided to reopen the selection process, seeking to amplify the voices of Black authors and to identify a text that directly addresses racial injustice.  After careful consideration, we are pleased to announce our next One Book, One U selection: So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ijeoma Oluo.  According to reviewer, Dave Zirin, “Oluo does more than deliver tough, blunt truths about the realities of racism, power and oppression. She also, in bracing fashion, offers a vision of hope; a message that through dialogue and struggle, we can emancipate ourselves from what she calls 'the nation's oldest pyramid scheme: white supremacy.'”

Although the One Book, One U program has been focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion since its inception, this unique moment in history presents an opportunity to discuss racism in a very explicit way and we are privileged to offer the program as a university-wide platform for the important (and uncomfortable) conversations that must take place.  We are grateful for the support we’ve received from the Provost’s Office and from University of Miami Libraries, which will allow us to expand our programming and increase our presence.  As you may have seen in the President’s July 1st message, we are pleased to build on the strong foundation that our committee has constructed and contribute to the university’s efforts to pursue racial justice.  Examples of our increased measures include introducing the book to new students at Orientation, increasing the number of free copies available to students, offering a faculty reading group in the fall, and expanding our instructors’ guide for faculty interested in incorporating the text into their curricula.

We look forward to reaffirming the One Book, One U program’s mission to attend to concerns of race, ethnicity, equity, and inclusion through various programming next year.  As in the past, we will send an invitation to units on campus to submit ideas for programming related to the book’s themes and we will provide updates on the program as they become available.   

With generous support from University leadership, the One Book, One U program is pleased to offer access to free copies of the book. Hard copies were distributed at Orientation Check-In (August 9-11) and were available to new students at Richter Library on Friday August 14th. Both continuing students and new students may also complete this form to arrange pick-up or to request access to an eBook version. Priority access for new students ends on Monday, August 17th.

Instructors may also request a hard copy by completing this form. An email will be sent when the book is available for pick-up from Richter Library, usually within 2 business days.

In addition to the free copies available through our request forms, a limited number of free copies will be available at select events, which will be noted in the Schedule of Events, as information becomes available. Our community members can also access the book, including e-book versions, through University of Miami Libraries, a local library, or they may consider purchasing their own copy.

One Book, One U is pleased to partner with Learning Innovation and Faculty Engagement to offer a facilitated, three-session reading group for UM faculty, staff, and graduate students interested in discussing how to incorporate So You Want to Talk About Race into their courses. Sessions are scheduled for two cohorts:

Please use this guide to access information on prominent themes in each chapter, resources related to racial justice, discussions questions, and more.

Brave Spaces Session: So You Want to Talk About Race
Friday, October 2 at 12pm.

Presented by the Multicultural Student Association, the Brave Spaces dialogue series provides continuous online opportunities for support, discussion, and education. Each event focuses on a specific topic and is facilitated by various University faculty and staff members as well as student leaders. This Brave Spaces session will feature a discussion of chapters 3 and 12 of the book: “What if I Talk About Race Wrong?” and “What Are Microaggressions?” The first 40 students to register will have an opportunity to pick up a free hard copy of the book! Please register by Tuesday, September 22.

Multicultural Student Affairs Events
Fall 2020

In addition to the Brave Spaces event on October 2, MSA offers a variety of programming focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Events include:

• Real Talk: “The Intersection of Latin America” on October 7th at 6pm. Register.
• A Seat at the Table: “Understanding Cultural Appropriation” on October 13th at 6pm Register.
• Real Talk: “Native American Heritage” on November 12th at 6pm. Register.
A Seat at the Table: “Complexities of Colorism” on November 17th at 6pm. Register.
• Real Talk: “Model Minority Myth” on November 19th at 6pm. Register.
AND MORE!

Connect and Create at the Lowe
Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m.

During this one-hour workshop, art will be used as a medium for communication to learn simple techniques which encourage diversity of thought at work and home. Guided by experts from the Lowe Art Museum, participants will practice mindfully slowing down, staying neutral, and opening up to the perspectives of others. Participation is limited to ensure the conversation is engaging and interactive. No art experience is necessary. Register now.

“ ‘It is a Subject which lacks dramatic interest’: Blackness in Latin American Thought” 
Thursday, October 8th at 7pm

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures presents the first lecture as part of its new series, Black Lives Matter Across the Globe. Dr. Herman Bennett, renowned scholar on the history of the African diaspora with a particular focus on Latin American History, presents. Register here.

UM Libraries
Office of Institutional Culture
Center for the Humanities
Creative Writing Program
The Law School
Department of English
College of Arts and Sciences
Institute for Advanced Study of the Americas
Department of Student Activities & Student Organizations
Gender and Sexuality Studies
Cosford Cinema
Center for Communication, Culture, and Change
Modern Languages and Literature
Lowe Art Museum
Sigma Tau Delta
Planet Kreyol
Educational and Psychological Studies/Human and Social Development Program
School of Education and Human Development
Women's Commission
The Creative Writing Ambassadors