Brendon Irving Volunteers in Washington, D.C. through Lebanon Valley's Social Justice Institute

2014 Mar 7

Brendon E. Irving of Woolwich Township, N.J., participated in Lebanon Valley College's Social Justice Institute. Irving is pursuing a bachelor of science in biology and is a graduate of Kingsway Regional High School.

The three-day leadership institute allows students to explore how oppression impacts true equality. It begins on campus, where students learn about social justice, envision liberation, and consider models of oppression/oppression and liberation. The students then traveled to Washington, D.C., where they completed service projects at a number of agencies around the city. Irving had the opportunity to volunteer with D.C. Central Kitchen.

Participants evolve from being appreciative of diversity to understanding systems that maintain oppression and privilege; develop strong leadership and critical thinking skills; and are eligible for membership in the Pallas Society, a campus-based social justice honor society.

As a result of their active engagement and participation in the Institute, students are able to:

• Understand and explain what racism, sexism, heterosexism, and classism are as well as how they are maintained by power and privilege.
• Understand and explain the interconnectedness of identity and the power/privilege given by their identity groups.
• Understand and explain the difference between prejudice, discrimination, and oppression as well as the difference between appreciation/celebration of diversity and working for social justice.
• Develop action plans to apply the knowledge gained at the institution and in the community.