On Monday, SUNY Plattsburgh canceled some classes to host its second annual Black Solidarity Day, dedicated to providing students and community members with a fresh perspective on issues related to people of color. The event included a series of seminars and lectures aimed at educating participants on the history and challenges faced by people of color in the United States.
Senior student Ivonne Diaz, with a Hispanic background, was among the many students participating in the Black Solidarity Day sessions. She expressed her motivation for attending these seminars, stating, “It’s important for me because there are some topics myself that I am not fully educated on. So, I attend these meetings to get more education and to get more insight on different perspectives.”
The theme for this year’s Black Solidarity Day was “You Belong: Let’s Erase the Hate.” This theme focused on issues such as the racial wealth gap, gender discrimination, and the excessive use of deadly force in policing, aiming to encourage critical discussions and inspire action on these pressing topics.
One lecture highlighted how access to personal care items, including period products, intersects with systemic racism. Canceling classes on Monday was a strategic move by SUNY Plattsburgh to encourage student participation in the important sessions. University officials voiced their support for this approach, aiming to inspire students to exercise their right to vote and become actively involved in societal matters.
These sessions aim to provide a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people of color and encourage unity within the African-American community.
