Imagine being in another’s shoes. Thanks to the race-experience kiosk, it’s easy.
That’s what students learned when the kiosk was brought to BSU for a week. The computerized device takes a picture of the user and reconfigures it to make the person look like a member of another race.
“We hope to people will directly experience the visual impact of racial diversity to learn the differences between, and consequences of, positive and negative language associated with racial diversity.” said Dr. Rawjee Roopa, director of international student and scholar services.
The race-experience kiosk was placed in the atrium of East Campus Commons, a high traffic area of campus. The goal was to encourage all students, faculty and staff to participate. The process takes just a few minutes and used a fun, innovative technology to appeal to the traditionally aged college participant.
“We are very excited, over a thousand people have used it, students, faculty and staff,” Dr. Rawjee said.
Users were able to view themselves within the constructs of different races and to understand the myriad connotations that may be attached to each one.
“We have been so pumped the whole week, looking at each other’s’ photographs and sparking conversation. Students seem to be very interested,” said Dr. Rawjee.
This is a unique learning opportunity because the kiosk brings a very visual component to life that complements the traditional dialogue of race discussions.
To conclude this experience, students were encouraged to attend a panel discussion to help them further understand the concepts of race and racism as experienced today.
“We are going to focus on the problem, and look at what we can change to make our lives a better place to live in,” Said Dr. Roopa.
Student participants who attended the panel were invited to conduct and submit a research project at the mid-year student research symposium in April. This project will be led by three graduate assistants from the Minnock Center for International Engagement: Caryl Brannon, Victor Rodriguez and Shannon Lazarovich.
See some of the kiosk images from BSU on the International Student & Scholar Services Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/ISSBSU?fref=ts. The kiosk was brought to BSU through the ausipices of International Student & Scholar Services in collaboration with Program Council, the Center for Multicultural Affairs, the Office of Institute for Diversity and the Office of Undergraduate Research. (Story and photos by Caitlin Seddon, University News)
