Spatial tactics of belonging for people of color at Southwestern
The first students of color at Southwestern were forced to assimilate to its dominant culture as a Predominantly White Institution (PWI). As such, they were usually either domestic students of color who were White-passing or White-adjacent or international students who were simultaneously welcomed for their diversity while being othered as "foreign."
Students of color who have enrolled since the 1960s, who have not been able to pass as White, have had to develop different tactics.
In particular, Latina/o/x students and Black students at Southwestern have worked to create a series of student organizations focused on creating safe spaces for Black and Latin/a/o/x students and advocating for social justice and inclusion on campus and beyond.
Significantly, until very recently, the safe spaces these organizations have created have been metaphorical, as none of them have ever had a physical space on campus to call their own.
International House Off-Campus
A Moving House, Home to Displaced People, Moved One Last Time Before Being Burned Down.
This is the second location of the International House (or I-House), and its final location as a stand-alone building. The I-House was a living-learning community for international students, third-culture students (students whose parents are from the US but who have grown up abroad), and students…
View Story Show on Map
Remembering Latinos Unidos
Multiple generations of Latina/o/x students have worked to create spaces of belonging for Latine students.
Latine students at Southwestern University have worked to create numerous student organizations focused on creating safe spaces for Latine students within our predominantly white institution (PWI), by creating community and advocating for social justice and change on campus. The safe spaces these organizations have been able to create have been metaphorical, as none of them have ever had a…
View Story Show on Map
Remembering Ebony
A brief history of Black student organizations at Southwestern.
Black students at Southwestern have worked to create a series of strong student organizations focused on creating safe spaces for Black students within this Predominantly White Institution (PWI) and advocating for social justice and inclusion on campus and beyond. Significantly, the safe spaces these organizations have created have been metaphorical, as none of them have ever had a physical space…
View Story Show on Map
JEDI Center
An Office Focused on Social Justice That is Also a Safe Space for People With Marginalized Identities
The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Center was created in 2022 by Malissa Ismaila, Director of Student Inclusion and Diversity. The JEDI center is located on the 3rd floor of the McCombs Campus Center. Its predecessor, the Office of Diversity Education (ODE), led by Terri…
View Story Show on Map
International House Reboot
I-House Re-created as a Living-Learning Community Within Mabee Residence Hall in the 1990s.
The final version of the International House (or I-House) brought the concept back to campus within a wing of Mabee Hall. The I-House was a living-learning community for international students, third-culture students (students whose parents are from the US but who have grown up abroad), and…
View Story Show on Map
International House
An Enduring Concept, Though Not an Enduring Place
The International House (or I-House) was a living-learning community that had several locations in its years of operation. It was established at this site on campus in the old President’s home (Griffith House) in 1974. Interestingly, that building itself had been moved once before in the Spring of…
View Story Show on Map