Panel to discuss support for marginalized campus community

William+T+Young+Library

William T Young Library

Allison Graebe

Bias Incident Support Services, UK Counseling Center and the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching collaborated to create the panel discussion, “Allies and Accomplices: What Are They and Why Do We Need Them NOW?” The event will focus on supporting marginalized students, staff and faculty on campus.

UK Bias Incident Response Coordinator Carol Taylor-Shim said she felt as though there was a need for allies and accomplices to get informed and involved on ways they can help those who feel marginalized.

“What we’re really trying to build and cultivate is a culture of belonging,” Taylor-Shim said.

Taylor-Shim identifies allies as people that show up and support other marginalized groups. She thinks of accomplices as people that are willing to challenge systems and engage in some risks.

Many may not know where to begin to help others that may feel marginalized. That’s where the “Allies and Accomplices” event comes in.

“Thursday’s program participants may find ways to be more active allies or accomplices in various areas of their lives,” UK Counseling Center Director Dr. Mary Chandler Bolin said.

Taylor-Shim hopes that this will be a kickoff to a series of programs over the next year that facilitate those who wish to be active allies and accomplices. Her ambition is to help those that want to move from being allies to being accomplices.

Taylor-Shim hopes that this will become a campus-wide movement. She believes this idea of supporting and fighting for marginalized groups should not only be the Bias Incident Support Services’ or the Office of Institutional Diversity’s responsibility.

“We all have a role to play,” Taylor-Shim said.

After attending the panel discussion with diverse UK community members sharing their personal experience, Bolin hopes that it will challenge the audience to reflect on the sphere of influence they have on campus.

Taylor-Shim believes that members of the community have an obligation to take care of others. Her hope is that people come with an open mind and heart.

The discussion will take place on Thursday, April 18 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Athletics Auditorium at William T. Young Library.