De Anza’s Office of Equity launched its first Lit Lunch of the year featuring “bite-sized” equities from four speakers.

Tony Santa Ana, host and organizer, clarified that by “bite-sized”, it means six-minute speeches by selected faculty and students on how they practice equity in their surroundings.

As the guests filed in and all the seats were being occupied, Mr. Santa Ana formally began the event by introducing the first speaker, Rosanna Alvarez, a professor of Women’s Studies.

Alvarez talked about her experiences teaching women’s studies in the classroom. Her special activity “Grab your shoes, two truths, and a lie” aims to get over assumptions made by people. The goal of this is also to integrate the learning inside the classroom and outside. “Framing matters. [It’s] acknowledging experiences into how you are now.”

The following speaker, Karen Hunter, a Financial Aid assistant, mentioned equity practices within the office. “The FAFSA was made for equality, not equity,” Hunter said. To practice equity, she stated that “a few minutes work up front, saves time in the end.” Hunter stressed clear communication on both the student’s and financial aid officers side, resulting in less frustrations.

Matthew Dumanig, a 3rd year Computer Science major, stepped up and related equity with community through the organization Pilipino Unity Student Organization or PUSO aims to empower students through community. “That sense of empowerment spreads throughout the students,” Dumanig said. “Equity is the chance for someone to reach their full potential,” he said. “With PUSO, we go that extra mile to give that extra support.”

To wrap up the event, Carolyn Wilkins-Greene, the dean of social sciences and humanities, said “Equity has been my thing since birth.” Equity for Wilkins-Greene is serving the students, especially students that have been marginalized. “Equity is an attitude of service,” she said. “I value words and actions. Talk sounds good but you got to put heels on, you got to do something meaningful.”

In a post-interview with Dumanig on what PUSO is to him, he said “It’s more than a club, it’s more like a family.”

“PUSO has four roots: academics, community, culture, empowerment. Students perform better when they feel supported,” Dumanig said.

“It’s important to share and relate to the students,” Alvarez said. “It shifts their energy, tone, and relationship the student has with the professor.”

Simon Phichayaphinylo, a freshman taking up business, said all the speeches stood out for him.

“All speeches were inspiring. I’ll try to do whatever I do in an equity lens,” he said.

The next Lit Lunch is scheduled on February 28, 2018.