“I, TOO, AM HARVARD” 2014 BLACKTIVISM CONFERENCE

This past weekend, the editors-in-chief of The Stripes attended an intercollegiate blacktivism conference at Harvard University, inspired by the 2014 “I, Too, Am Harvard”campaign. The event, with well over 200 attendees, featured a series of workshops and panels with student writers and activists from across the nation. During one of her panel discussions, the founder of “I, Too, Am Harvard,” Kimiko Matsuda-Lawrence shared inspirational words on the role of marginalized groups at prestigious universities like Princeton and Harvard:

“It is true that we come to these schools to learn the language of power, but we also come to teach the language of justice.”

The Stripes founder Kovey Coles met and spoke with Matsuda-Lawrence near the end of the three-day conference, and it was revealed that she herself is a fan and follower of The Stripes blog. The conference concluded as a success in strengthening the supportive networks between students of color, and The Stripes was honored to be able to attend and reinforce solidarity in the mission to address racial and cultural challenges on America’s college campuses.

The Stripes founder, Kovey Coles, pictured with the founder of "I, Too, Am Harvard," Kimiko Matsuda-Lawrence

The Stripes founder, Kovey Coles, pictured with the founder of “I, Too, Am Harvard,” Kimiko Matsuda-Lawrence