Published: Jan. 26, 2021

The University Libraries continues their partnership with the Center for Humanities & the Arts (CHA) to present the return of Difficult Dialogues—a series of panel conversations that bring together people from on and off campus to discuss challenging issues from their own perspectives.

This semester, we are addressing the issue of power. Panelists will discuss the power they see in their own position on campus, the responsibilities that come with power and privilege, how that power has helped or hindered their ability to navigate campus, the invisible costs of power and more.

Attendees can expect to have their views on power and privilege challenged and to learn more about how their own power and the power of others affects them and their community. The event will be structured as a Q&A session, with panelists engaging with moderator Janet Ruppert, a graduate student in Information Science. During the discussion, audience members are encouraged to use the Q&A function to submit their questions for the panelists.

The series unofficially started in 2019 with a conversation around Christine Blasely Ford and the #MeToo movement. The positive response to this conversation inspired further events.

“I’m so proud of Difficult Dialogues,” says Jennifer Ho, director of CHA and series creator. “It represents the values of the CHA by highlighting issues of equity and inclusion. These are topics that are necessary, but often difficult, to discuss.”

Last summer was the first official partnership with the libraries and the series asked questions like, “What is ‘whiteness,’ and how do concepts like ‘white privilege’ and ‘white supremacy’ contribute to anti-Black racism and systemic racism?”

The libraries has also created a guide with readings on power to continue the conversation.

“I am especially grateful to partner with CU Boulder Libraries,” Ho said, “The resources that the library has will make the impact of this one event last beyond the brief time we share together.”

We look forward to hearing your questions and engaging in this conversation with you.

Panelists

Gwendalynn Roebke

Gwendalynn Roebke, undergraduate student

Gwendalynn Roebke is a Black/Multiracial gender non conforming undergrad at CU. They are a 5th year Distributed Studies Major who places the fields of astrophysics, neuroscience and philosophy into conversation around existentialism.

Sarah Fahmy

Sarah Fahmy, graduate student

Sarah Fahmy is a schol-artist, facilitator, educator and activist. A native of Alexandria, Egypt, her research focuses on the performativity of postcolonial Egyptian identities. She also focuses on interdisciplinary applied theatre techniques for young women's vocal empowerment and participation in sustainable development.

Erika Randall

Erika Randall, department chair and professor of Dance

Erika Randall is a dancer and shadow boxer who composes dances, films, theatre and stories. She co-wrote, directed, produced and choreographed the feature dance film, Leading Ladies. The film premiered at the Sonoma International Film Festival in 2010, and has played to sold-out audiences at over 65 festivals world-wide. Her interest in dance, its relationship to popular culture, and its ability to queer worlds and impact change, is at the heart of all of her research and teaching.

Chantal Baca

Chantal Baca, university staff

Chantal Baca supports and leads BOLD efforts to increase student success and retention for BOLD Scholars and students who have been historically underrepresented in the College of Engineering and Applied Science at CU Boulder. As a first-generation Native American-Latina, she is committed to enriching the college student experience and supporting students and families in higher education.

Janet Ruppert

Janet Ruppert, moderator

Janet Ruppert is a PhD student in Information Science working to increase tech literacy for kids and families in an accessible and playful way. She joined Dr. Ricarose Roque’s lab after receiving her bachelor’s in management information systems from the University of Alabama. Areas of study include digital privacy and surveillance capitalism.