Christine Olukere on LinkedIn: In the novel Sula by Toni Morrison, the title character was described as… (2024)

The decision of the University of Southern California to cancel their commencement ceremonies has sparked significant controversy. President Carol Holt and her judgment regarding this has been criticized by many. There are concerns that her response was influenced by past incidents involving anti-Zionist sentiments expressed by a student on social media in 2021, which Holt did not address at the time. This has led some to question if her current actions are an overcorrection aimed at appeasing pro-Zionist voices on campus.While Holt has recently initiated efforts with Jewish groups to foster awareness and support, the Muslim community at USC feels neglected. The majority of the Advisory Committee on Muslim Life has resigned, citing this perceived neglect. The perception among many students is that university administrators employ "divide and conquer" tactics, deflecting blame for ineffective leadership onto tensions between groups like Jewish and Muslim students. This dynamic mirrors broader geopolitical conflicts, leading to incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia that make parts of the campus feel unsafe.The person that felt the most unsafe: Asna Tabassum. The person that deserves the most respect for taking the high road in this situation: Asna Tabassum.A biomedical engineering student from Bangladesh, she overcame significant hurdles to get her degree.She has been mistreated by the USC administration and deserves an apology.Provost Guzman should deliver this apology first.Provost Andrew Guzman, a law professor hailing from the Dominican Republic, has talked at length about his historic position as the first Latine provost of USC. He has always promoted DEI initiatives in his tenure, but this act of silence regarding the commencement cancellation and valedictorian’s ousting is ridiculous. He would do best to remember the words of the late Cesar Chavez—“Preservation of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.”If there is any doubt that DEI is dead in academia, see what is happening on the campuses of USC, Columbia, Yale, Harvard, amongst others.Promoting diversity and inclusion is hard work, but necessary. To do the work to create forums and panels with members of all communities (Jewish and Muslim alike) to promote equity on campus is important. Universities must walk a fine line in addressing such tensions, avoiding inaction that allows divides to fester, while also refraining from overcorrections that validate or escalate conflicts between student groups. Adequate funding for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, combined with open dialogue and addressing all students' needs, is crucial for fostering a cohesive university community.#usc #diversityandinclusion

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Hey everyone 👋 Just a quick life update: had a great time at the College Media Association Spring Convention representing New Jersey Institute of Technology! Met Priya Krishna (The New York Times), Joseph Hernandez (The Philadelphia Inquirer), Meg Wagner (CNN) and bomani jones (ESPN).Writing has always been my first and last love; learning how in the newsroom this love can help to inform and inspire others was fantastic.I always liked to see people that were passionate about news like myself and also came from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The most illluminating thing I learned was the rise of artificial intelligence and how it can help (not hurt) in creating great news. Hopefully with the elections this year, we can all learn how to use AI the correct way and make sure that the news is accurate and trustworthy.All in all, a great week in NYC!#cmaconference #njit

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Siri play “For The Love Of Money” by the O’Jays.While Altman and Musk play reindeer games with the specifics of OpenAI’s true mission, the public’s information is at stake.OpenAI partnering with Microsoft doesn’t lend any credibility to the company as valuing its user’s information.#openai #samaltman #elonmusk #ai

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When people express their weariness with films and narratives centered on slavery by saying, “I don’t want another slave movie,” they’re tapping into a broader hunger for stories that reflect the full depth and diversity of Black history. This sentiment underscores an essential truth: the influence of Black people on European culture spans millennia, yet this rich tapestry of contributions remains largely underexplored and underacknowledged.From the fall of Rome to the present day, Black individuals have been integral to the fabric of European society, leaving indelible marks on art, science, politics, and more. This year, as we delve into the theme of the arts, it’s the perfect moment to shed light on how Black people have been depicted in art from the earliest times to the turn of the 20th century.Historically, Black figures have been present in European art as more than just subjects; they have been active contributors, artists, and influencers in their own right. From the Black Magus in medieval Christian art to the impactful works of African-descended artists in Renaissance Europe, their presence is a testament to their integral role in shaping European artistic traditions.In the Renaissance, for instance, artists like Alessandro de’ Medici, dubbed “il Moro” for his African heritage, played pivotal roles in the political and cultural landscapes of their times. Moving forward, the 18th and 19th centuries saw the emergence of influential Black artists, musicians, and intellectuals in Europe, such as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, often referred to as the “Black Mozart,” who left a lasting legacy in classical music.By showcasing these contributions, we not only broaden our understanding of European culture but also challenge the silence that has long shrouded the achievements of Black individuals throughout history. This exploration into art serves as a powerful reminder of the diverse narratives that have shaped our shared history, narratives that deserve to be recognized, celebrated, and studied in depth.As we continue to push for a more inclusive understanding of history, let us remember that the story of Black people in Europe is not a footnote but a central chapter in the narrative of civilization. By embracing and highlighting these rich contributions, we can inspire a more nuanced and comprehensive appreciation of our collective heritage.Let this year’s focus on the arts be a starting point for a broader conversation about diversity, representation, and the importance of acknowledging all contributors to the cultural and historical tapestry of Europe. It’s time to move beyond the limited narratives and celebrate the full spectrum of Black contributions to European history.All credit goes to the People of Color in European Art History Tumblr for the inspiration and the artists of the works.#blackhistorymonth #blackhistory365 #diversityandinclusion

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My high school was ranked nationally as well as one of the top five in my state.We didn’t have any SAT prep classes, nor any AP prep classes run by any reputable test preparation programs (The Princeton Review, Pearson, amongst others).Many of my graduating class still managed to get to the interview portion of Harvard University (myself included!) and not only that but get accepted into Ivy Leagues such as this.One young woman I knew intimately, a Chinese American girl, lived in a small apartment in a busy part of my city.She never slept. Always on the move, involved in everything, and still getting excellent grades.I admired her 200 percent.Her drive to succeed gave her the opportunity despite being from a poor family to join the ranks of Columbia University.She didn’t benefit much from the one fancy test prep course that we paid out of pocket to attend. Instead, she used a simple test prep book from Barrons and passed with flying colors in one go.I wonder if her educational ambitions would have been stifled by the current test optional policies that are as standardized as these tests.I was of the mind that it helped students from backgrounds like ours, those that didn’t have but wanted.But this article in the The New York Times proves otherwise.According to the text, “Opportunity Insights, a group of economists based at Harvard, published a study that found that test scores could help identify lower-income students and students from underrepresented populations who would thrive in college. High scores from less-privileged students can signal high potential.”The previous ruling from the Supreme Court on Affirmative Action didn’t stop girls like my friend from getting into Yale, Harvard, Princeton and the like.It just made them stronger.As we think about the ways in which this decision can help or harm diversity and inclusion at these institutions, think about my friend.A test is a test at the end of the day, but these tests have been shown time and again to be a great marker for evaluating whether a student is prepared for college level work.Whether the student is ready for college life is up to the student.But again, your mileage may vary. Just my two cents.#yaleuniversity #harvarduniversity #diversityandinclusion #college #collegeadmissions #affirmativeaction

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I woke up to a very mean message from a mentor that I respected and admired a lot.I am sure that the other person thought it wasn’t that bad, but it kinda was.I wondered why I even bothered with this person to begin with.Mentorship is not a one way street.I found myself the one always having to check in, always having to check out, and always doing the legwork (professionally, emotionally) to gain what little knowledge the person gave me.Earlier this evening, I had a very nice chat with a fine woman named Felicia M. S.—she poured in my cup, and didn’t expect anything in return. I can always count on my sisters, aunts, grandmothers and cousins who are women for support in these streets.Despite even the toughest love, the most stinging rebukes, there is always a sister there to have fellowship with and feel whole again.I want each one of my female followers to challenge themselves, if they haven’t come already, to do the work and find a sister in strength to be a mentor to you.Particularly in tech, the ease in which to find a mentor that suits your needs as a woman is difficult.According to the tech leader Takayo Takamuro of Telehouse Europe speaking to SheCanCode “26% of the general tech workforce are women, accounting for a mere 5% of leadership positions. And as small as this figure might seem, it still represents the growth and achievements of the many women who were not discouraged by traditional perceptions of the industry…One way to encourage more women into senior positions, and keep them there, is through mentoring.”I am a firm believer in the power of women to support and reaffirm other women. However, through pure statistics, that might not always be possible.Our brothers have a lot to offer as well—pick the ones that have proven through action and not just words that they care.This is a message for those other sisters that can be wishy washy as well, because as I learned from Dr. Brittney Cooper of the Crunk Feminist Collective, some of our closest allies want to be the only Black person (or Brown person, or Asian person, or Latino Or Indigenous) in the room—and then pretend the room is too small for anyone else.We aren’t elephants. Just people.Give people space and invite them into the fold. Mentorship is about bringing others in and letting them grow with supervision and Tender Loving Care like beautiful flowers 🌺 I will never let anyone else make me feel uncomfortable with trying to gain more knowledge again.#mentoringmatters #mentorship #blackintech #blackwomenintech #womenintech #womenincybersecurity

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