Mission Statement
1. The activist’s spirited, crusading desire for change vs. the social scientist’s reserved, relativistic desire to understand. The professor’s calling to impart wisdom vs. the student’s calling to ask, observe, learn, and reevaluate.
The sole purpose of this “magazine” is to maintain a dialog on race with the Kent State community. It is in the constructive embracing of the contradictions listed above–contradictions within each of us–that we can take part in truly constructive dialog, and the mission of Race at Kent State University reflects this belief. Thus, while individual contributions may certainly contain strong opinions, the magazine as a whole seeks balance. Anything less will only “preach to the choir,” and that would defeat the entire purpose–creating dialog. The editors believe that true learning is a never-ending process and that everyone engaged in dialog must be both professor AND student–to impart the wisdom of perspective and experience AND to learn from others’ perspective and experiences. Dialog, after all, only occurs between people who both teach and learn, who both speak and listen. It is in this balance that we–each of us–can form an ever more nuanced understanding of race.
2. The human experience.
The strongest motivation comes from that which appeals to the entire human experience–anger and joy, crying and laughter, fear and optimism . . . pragmatism and idealism, the mind and the heart. Too much of any of these alone–be it anger, joy, crying, laughter, fear, optimism, pragmatism, idealism, mind, or heart–becomes stifling in its own way. A sustained activism, a sustained learning, and a sustained dialog require a balanced appeal to our humanity. With each issue of this magazine, then, you will find some things that make you angry and others that give you joy, some things that make you want to scream and others that make you laugh, some things that make you worry and others that give you cause for hope. Your mind and your heart will be equally stirred.
3. Open discussion.
As dialog is the goal, all articles will be open to public comment, and everyone is encouraged to reply. Our moderation policy is loose here: All viewpoints intelligently expressed are welcome. Violent messages and graphic language are strictly forbidden. Flaming and trolling will be policed, as well. The tone of the comment area should be likened to that of the classroom–spirited, productive discussion without bullying of any sort.
Contributors
. . . Contributors’ bios
