Pembroke JCR Celebrates Diversity Week

Diversity Week took place last week at Pembroke, organised by the JCR Liberation Council - i.e the Access, LGBT, Disabilities, REM and Gender Equalities reps. Despite being limited to online events this year, it drew large interest from across the JCR, with a high number of students engaging via their computer screens.

The week featured various pre-recorded discussions with a number of notable alumni, including Erin Kennedy (née Wysocki-Jones) (2011, Team GB British rower) , Kevin Brennan MP (1979), Shamik Dhar (1982, Chief Economist,BNY Mellon Investment Management) and Michelle Peluso (1993, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, IBM).

A virtual film night was also held, with attendees watching '13th' to learn about mass incarceration. The LGBT and Gender reps Connie and Miv produced liberating playlists that were shared with the JCR.

One of the most significant events was the Race Roundtable, which generated a really insightful and powerful discussion on race and featured past and present Pembroke students. Following this roundtable, the JCR has funded efforts to acquire educational resources, which resulted in eighty JCR members signing up to receive a book about white privilege and anti-racism to be posted to them.

JCR Access Rep Sophie Lewis organised online sign language lessons, which 33 people have attended. To finish off the week, the JCR recorded and filmed a sign language music video of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', which can be found on YouTube.

Sophie commented: It's been a wonderful week of learning and listening. We hope to continue these conversations beyond this week, to strive for a kinder, inclusive and more aware Pembroke.