Jen Fry Visits BU Athletics
October 15, 2021 | General
BOSTON - The Boston University Department of Athletics enjoyed a full day with Jen Fry on September 22, as the social justice educator met with groups in addition to the full staff and student-athlete body.
Fry's social justice education firm, JenFryTalks, uses conversation to educate and empower those within athletics through an anti-racist lens on issues of race, inclusion, intersectionality, diversity, and equity.
After beginning the day meeting with BU's Social Justice & Inclusion Committee and the executive boards fom Athlete Ally, SAAC and Student-Athletes of Color, Fry led a workshop with coaches, staff and administrators in Case Gym. The day continued with a conversation with the department's senior staff before an evening session with the student-athletes.
Conversation focused on race, racism, whiteness, anti-racism, bias, and frames/lenses with specific examples pertaining to the Boston area. Through discussion, the BU Athletics community reflected on past experiences to dig deeper into influence and perception in regards to race. A goal of Fry's teachings is engaging in dialogue, even if it's uncomfortable, that takes steps towards developing an antiracist culture.
"This was a great first event sponsored by the athletic department to continue to discuss important topics pertaining to race and identity we began over a year ago," said SAAC president Kathryn Grabowski of the women's lightweight rowing team. "Jen Fry made us all question our abilities and the lenses through which we view the world. This is only the beginning, as we hope everyone will join our community to continue the discussion at SAOC, Terrier Town Hall, and other community activities."
"Jen Fry does an amazing job at facilitating conversation among student-athletes, especially by encouraging participation from several different teams," said Student-Athletes of Color president Chiara Tibbitt of the women's basketball team. "Case Gym had an atmosphere of community and family that night and I hope to continue the conversation we started that evening. Change starts with each and every athlete looking through the lenses we don't always look through, helping us try to understand where others are coming from, and I think that was the most impactful lesson from Jen that day."
"It was a great experience where student-athletes from all different backgrounds were able to come together to answer difficult questions on race and this will hopefully serve as a foundation for much more learning to come," added BU Athlete Ally president Diego de la Torre of the men's track & field team.
To learn more about Jen Fry, visit her website and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Fry's social justice education firm, JenFryTalks, uses conversation to educate and empower those within athletics through an anti-racist lens on issues of race, inclusion, intersectionality, diversity, and equity.
After beginning the day meeting with BU's Social Justice & Inclusion Committee and the executive boards fom Athlete Ally, SAAC and Student-Athletes of Color, Fry led a workshop with coaches, staff and administrators in Case Gym. The day continued with a conversation with the department's senior staff before an evening session with the student-athletes.
Conversation focused on race, racism, whiteness, anti-racism, bias, and frames/lenses with specific examples pertaining to the Boston area. Through discussion, the BU Athletics community reflected on past experiences to dig deeper into influence and perception in regards to race. A goal of Fry's teachings is engaging in dialogue, even if it's uncomfortable, that takes steps towards developing an antiracist culture.
"This was a great first event sponsored by the athletic department to continue to discuss important topics pertaining to race and identity we began over a year ago," said SAAC president Kathryn Grabowski of the women's lightweight rowing team. "Jen Fry made us all question our abilities and the lenses through which we view the world. This is only the beginning, as we hope everyone will join our community to continue the discussion at SAOC, Terrier Town Hall, and other community activities."
"Jen Fry does an amazing job at facilitating conversation among student-athletes, especially by encouraging participation from several different teams," said Student-Athletes of Color president Chiara Tibbitt of the women's basketball team. "Case Gym had an atmosphere of community and family that night and I hope to continue the conversation we started that evening. Change starts with each and every athlete looking through the lenses we don't always look through, helping us try to understand where others are coming from, and I think that was the most impactful lesson from Jen that day."
"It was a great experience where student-athletes from all different backgrounds were able to come together to answer difficult questions on race and this will hopefully serve as a foundation for much more learning to come," added BU Athlete Ally president Diego de la Torre of the men's track & field team.
To learn more about Jen Fry, visit her website and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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