Social Justice Week activities are planned to help raise awareness and build an inclusive atmosphere at the UW Oshkosh campus

Taking place April 10-14 and themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges,” the week includes a national speaker, workshops, discussions and an LGBTQ Ally March.

This year’s Social Justice keynote speaker is Tim Wise, who is a national anti-racist writer and educator. He will speak from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 10 at the Alumni Welcome and Conference Center Ballroom, 625 Pearl Ave. A book signing will follow Wise’s presentation.

Wise is the author of seven books, including his latest, Under the Affluence: Shaming the Poor, Praising the Rich and Sacrificing the Future of America.

Wise has spent the last 20 years speaking to audiences in all 50 states, including on more than 1,000 college and high school campuses across the U.S., as well as lecturing internationally.

A graduate of Tulane University, Wise has been featured in several documentaries related to race issues and he appears regularly on CNN and MSNBC.

“Social Justice Week is an annual event that allows members of the UW Oshkosh community to engage with local and national experts on current topics and trends in the area of social justice,” said Ameerah McBride, Office of Equity and Affirmative Action director at UW Oshkosh. “As a university, it is important to engage our students in dialogue surrounding current affairs and events while also challenging them to think critically about these issues. UW Oshkosh prepares graduates who are talented, liberally educated, technically skilled global citizens and are fully engaged as leaders and participants in civic, economic, political and social life. Social Justice Week seeks to support this mission by opening discourse on social issues, bringing the relevance of classroom study into the real world.”

Week of activities

Each April, with the help of the Social Justice Minor Program, the Office of Equity and Affirmative Action coordinates Social Justice Week activities. The speakers, interactive discussion and other events boost a spirit of diversity and inclusion on campus and in the community.

There are numerous presentations and discussions taking place in addition to Wise’s speaking event April 10 and a campus LGBTQ Ally March 5-8 p.m. April 13 from Reeve Ballroom. Check out a full calendar of Social Justice Week events.