Category Archives: History

2021-2022: The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life Explores Transformative and Disability Justice as Spiritual Practices

This year as Smith focuses on “Democracies,”  we are painfully aware that social injustices were woven into the fabric of our society at its founding. We also find ourselves at a point at which the very structure of democracy in … Continue reading

Posted in History, Newsletter Articles, Reflections, Social Justice, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reparations in Higher Education

This post is the first of a few to explore the theme of reparations. The term has come to refer to a broad movement advocating for payments and structural repair to those harmed by slavery in the U.S. and to … Continue reading

Posted in History, Programs & Events, Reflections, Social Justice | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The War in Afghanistan, 9-11, and our Interconnectedness

I thought it was a good idea to bring attention to the handling of the events in Afghanistan by the U.S. military last month through Generating Justice and Joy because it demonstrates the confusion, complexity, complicity, and connection that so … Continue reading

Posted in History, Programs & Events, Reflections, Response Statements, Social Justice, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Think of Criticalhope as One Word

Critical hope seems at first to be a contradiction in terms–a clash of two universes of discourse.  “Hope” has to do with the experience of faith which inspires vision, which engages us in action and (hopefully) to a sacred, healing … Continue reading

Posted in History, Reflections, Response Statements, Social Justice, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Racial Justice in Islam Series Connects Leaders to Students

The Racial Justice in Islam: Opening Our Hearts series was created as a space for students to learn about Islam’s approach towards justice, its historical foundation, and modern-day implications. Through asynchronous dialogue with noted Islamic leaders students were encouraged to … Continue reading

Posted in History, Newsletter Articles, Programs & Events, Reflections, Social Justice, Spirituality | Leave a comment

Mrs. New’s Tattoo

I remember the first time I really saw the numbers tattooed on Mrs. New’s arm. I had seen them before, but by 11 years old, I knew enough to really see them.  I remember a 2 and a long chain … Continue reading

Posted in History, Reflections, Social Justice, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Memory and History

Memory and Historiography–the writing of history–are two forces that stand in opposition for the heart and soul of a people.  Of the two, memory has much more power than history.  I learned this from a small book I read in … Continue reading

Posted in History, Newsletter Articles, Reflections, Social Justice, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a Tzadik

After Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died, 11-year-old Micah Blay made a pilgrimage to the U.S. Supreme Court and blew the shofar for the hundreds of people gathered there. In keeping with Jewish custom, they laid small stones on the steps … Continue reading

Posted in History, Holidays, Programs & Events, Reflections, Social Justice, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Uncertainty

There is a Jewish holiday dedicated to uncertainty. Its very name, Purim, means “dice.” During the holiday, the community reads the Book of Esther, a biblical book in which God is never mentioned. In the Book of Esther, God works … Continue reading

Posted in History, Holidays, Newsletter Articles, Response Statements | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Otelia Cromwell Day 2019

Tribute to Adelaide Cromwell ’40 I met Dr. Adelaide McGuinn Cromwell in the mid 1980’s as a student at Boston University. Professor Gulliver, as she was known then, was my sociology professor in Afro American Studies, and one of only … Continue reading

Posted in History, Programs & Events, Response Statements, Social Justice, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment