Office of Diversity and Inclusion offering book club this fall

The Northwest Missouri State University Office of Diversity and Inclusion invites all students, faculty and staff to join its Bearcat Diversity Book Club this fall for discussions about issues related to bias, privilege and power.

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 15, and continuing every other week via Zoom, students will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and employees will meet from 11:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. Dr. Justin Mallett, associate provost of diversity and inclusion, and staff members representing the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will moderate the discussion based on “So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo, a New York Times bestseller published in 2018.

“So You Want to Talk About Race” is an examination of race in America that covers subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to model minorities. Mallett said the book club is another step toward having honest conversations about race and racism in America as communities throughout the country have grappled with racial unrest in recent months.

“They will gain firsthand knowledge on issues relating to diversity and inclusion,” Mallett said. “There’s been a lot of discussion nationwide about social justice, and with this book they’ll gain some basic knowledge and understanding.”

Participating Northwest student employees can receive Career Pathing credits. For more information about Career Pathing and to register, students should visit www.nwmissouri.edu/hr/student/trainingopps.htm.

Northwest staff and faculty may register at www.nwmissouri.edu/hr/trainingopps.htm.