Written by: Aaron Pellot
MAPJ student
Member, Kroc School Student Advisory Board
As we continue to live and survive through a pandemic and an ever-evolving political space, our time at the Kroc School could not be more consequential. As students, thought leaders, activists and peace makers, we continue to learn and study theory that assist in providing the vision of shaping peaceful futures. The thought about “life after graduation”, is continual. While graduation will come and the work will change, we must remember that there is work right now, right in front of us.
2020-21 continues to bring us challenging opportunities. Of the many opportunities we are being presented with, one remains consistent, the opportunity for a more authentic community experience. We have seen this in our friend groups, our neighborhoods, families, and respective cultural spaces. As we hold the tension of living in these spaces we must continue to understand, here at the University of San Diego, especially at the Kroc School, it is in THIS space, we must continue to reimagine what our community looks like. Over the last year, Black America has seen corporations proclaim “Black Lives Matter”, as if the statement wasn’t ALWAYS true. We watched as black squares sprouted across Instagram and various social media platforms, only to see in a pandemic, COVID-19 vaccinations go to some of the most privileged [and whitest] communities. We watched as this country called on Black women such as Stacy Abrams to rally the Black South in order to bring a new President, seemingly learning nothing about the sins of the past shaping our current reality. This country has called on BIPOC communities to teach the lessons the majority has refused to hear, forgetting how the majority reinforces the systems which remain in place. At the University of San Diego, we must not allow this long-standing tradition of exhausting those who have been exhausted, without a return on investment in their favor. If this university fails in understanding this moment, they only accomplish being a [not so very] different reflection of the systems we hope to dismantle.
We are in a time here at the Kroc School, to remember this. Not just as graduate students, but as members of the faculty and administration as well. It is here and now, where an opportunity is being presented to this Torero community. An opportunity to put into practice the theories which are part of the fuel for the change we hope to see. We have an opportunity to present our collective voice(s) about what needs to be done in order to make this University a more authentic reflection of the communities we all represent. This is not a one-sided responsibility, and it will take a collective engagement in ways different than previously done. This Torero community must engage with its faculty, its students, and its administration in a way that is creative, thoughtful, and legitimate. It is on the faculty, administration, and its donors to understand, this work is being presented to them as well. The brilliant professors of this university learn from us, and with us. The application of theory is in the here and now, and we cannot wait until it is time for graduation to believe only then is our moment of arrival. We must continue to be creative, direct, and accountable about the space in which we all operate.
The resources are in front of us, but we (as a collective student body, faculty and administration) must remember these spaces are not performative. These spaces will help change lives. Whether it is the Student Advisory Board, PJSA, student led facilitation spaces, or numerous other spaces for authentic conversation to be had, let us access these spaces with creative imaginations and perseverance. May we have the imaginations and courage to shape something truly better by the time we leave. If the spaces are not there, may we create them. May we organize, for protest, for conversation, but also for spaces of rest, mediation, and reconciliation. There will be moments we will fail, but may we not be discouraged, pushing with resiliency. May we have the perseverance of peace makers who know this journey is everlasting. May we not be discouraged about the lack of space, but collect and organize so that university hears our voice. May we trust our intercommunity allies, making advocates and leaders out of one another. May this faculty and administration trust the theories they teach, understanding they continue to learn with and from the student body. May we all question what this space looks like. We must not be afraid to ask “Where are the BIPOC voices”. We must continue to ask, “does this learning space look like the communities we hope to be invited into?”. May we demand more BIPOC voices, more women, more LGBTQIA leaders, in order for this environment to reflect and support the peacemakers who are here. We learn together, we learn from one another, and through one another. This is our time, may we not fail those coming after us.