My name is Nakeesha "Keesha" Ceran and I am one of you. I am a proud double alumna of the School of Public Affairs (BA'10/MA'12) of THE American University.
The racial events that have embroiled the narrative of our alma mater are troubling, are concerning and are heartbreaking. But work IS being done.
As a staff member of our alma mater, I am most concerned with you-- My community. Following the news stories breaking, many of you lead with language of boycotting the institution. As a staff member that pains me, because I cannot do this work without you. Change starts with how you show up, not show out. Your communication is troubling because it invalidates the work that myself and others, many also alumni, are doing here.
I get it, when we see the news stories, we are met with this reaction, frustration, anger, heartbreak, more frustration. We revert to our feelings as the way in which we are expressing these emotions. We want to do something to show the University that we are frustrated. But isn't there a better way? When I as a staff member hear or see your words in Boycotting, I see it as abandonment. I see it as leaving out those who are trying to do good work, who are trying to make positive changes. So today, I ask that we look beyond our emotions and start to think about how we can bring about REAL change.
In my conversations or through posts from many of you, you are asking what can be done. Well I have a REAL answer for you, one that happens every year-- and real opportunities for you to continue to engage, be involved and support THIS community, your community, my community, OUR community- #OURAU!
While All-American Weekend is a space for celebration, it is also a space for us to reconnect and to see what is happening on campus. I challenge you, that if you want to do something now, now is the time that you SHOW UP! Our community needs you to show up, to participate and contribute. Our future alumni need you to show that you not only hear them, but are there FOR them. I challenge you to be present, participate in the Multicultural Alumni Reunion Events (MCAR) to show a community that they belong--that this AU that we have had pride in is their community-- not to act, but to listen.
I challenge my non-alumni of color to also show up at these events. Allyship, means also showing up to support. Taking the time to listen and to see how you can be there for others.
And I get it, I get your feelings when you say "I don't want to give money back to the institution." Well, All-American Weekend ticket prices is not giving money back to the institution. It's payment for the events that many of your peers spent time planning and laboring over the details, to prepare for you to have fun, so that you could enjoy your moments and new memories with your peers.
Registration is still open, through Friday, October 14th, 2016. Don't wait until the last minute to register, especially to my DC Alumni.
But in attending it might give you opportunities to think about how you could allocate your giving and donations to American University.
I challenge you to support and fund:
- Student Book Awards (Black Alumni Book Award; Latino Alumni Alliance Book Award)
- Alternative Breaks
- The Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholars Program
- Mentor
- Reach back out to your college clubs and organizations
I challenge you to join the Alumni Association. Work with your local alumni chapters, join an alumni affinity group. Begin having the conversations and program development to support the needs of this great community.
For our community to do better, to serve better, it takes all of us! Please don't abandon the community that needs you.
I hope to see you at this year's All-American Weekend.
Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle,
Keesha Ceran
SPA (BA'10/MA'12)
