Hi, this is Wayne again with a topic “Jaleesa Trapp (An MIT Community Vigil)”.
Jaleesa TRAPP Hi., My name is Jaleesa Trapp and I am a PhD student in the Media Lab with the Lifelong Kindergarten. Research. Group. I was asked to give a reflection. And I think that reflecting is something that we do a lot. And so instead I think I want to do a call to action. Because I’m Black and I reflect on that every day..
So I want you to think about if it feels awkward when you’re checking in on Black people in your research group on your staff, why does that feel awkward? Is that the only time that you check in with them Do your students feel comfortable at a place like MIT? Do we acknowledge the history of MIT? Do we acknowledge that we sit on the land of the Massachusetts that was stolen from them? Do we acknowledge that MIT was created because of the slave economy? Why is it that when there is a high-profile Black death — – and I say high-profile – because this happens all the time — that you have to ask where you should donate? Are you actively looking for Black people to support that do this work all the time, Black educators, Black health care professionals, Black activists that are out on the street? What are you doing to educate yourself every day and not just when something happens? So that’s my call to action today.. I want you to think about what it is that you’re doing every day. When I walk into my lab.
Are you looking at me like? I don’t belong there When I’m on campus late at night and I’m leaving and there’s a bunch of other people. Are you looking at me funny Think about how you’re interacting with people every day.? We can’t change anything at a higher level if we don’t change things at the level that we’re at .