OAKLAND, Calif.—Standing under the soaring ceiling of the Mills Hall living room, surrounded by stately pillars and antique furniture reminiscent of the historic building’s heyday, students addressed sensitive subjects head-on.
“I don’t think anyone is calling for universities to end racism,” said Sydney Sept, a Mills College at Northeastern University senior, answering a question about institutional racism. “What students of color are asking for is support.”
Sept was one of many student presenters at the Race, Gender and Sexuality Senior Thesis Symposium held at Mills Hall earlier this month. Students discussed the topics with bravery and candor. It was a celebratory event, with cake, flowers and balloons, honoring the students’ work.
“I’m just so proud,” associate adjunct professor Natalee Kehaulani Bauer said. “These are…