The Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations is eager to announce the pre-reading text for Community Conversations 2023. Community conversations is a campus tradition where proctors bring together first-year students for a facilitated discussion on identity and community building. The selected excerpts from these readings, which will be the focus of our discussions on September 3, will be available on Canvas starting from August 1st.
The Harvard Foundation and Community Conversations Committee has chosen the theme for this year's dialogue as "Ethics and Social Responsibility: Navigating Moral Dilemmas in Modern Society." In this facilitated discussion, we share about our own identities, examine different assumptions, and begin to develop our shared sense of belonging exploring questions like:
- Who are you, and how does your identity shape your understanding of ethics and social responsibility?
- What values and principles matter to you in your interactions with others and the wider society?
- How do you envision making a positive impact on society, given the ethical challenges we face today?
- How does your connection with the people you'll be living with influence your sense of responsibility and belonging in the community?
- How does cultural diversity influence our understanding of ethics and social responsibility?
We have carefully curated six thought-provoking readings that explore our shared life. The voices represented in these texts challenge us to contemplate our identities, their significance, and how they shape our understanding of ethics and responsibility. The selected excerpts from the readings will be available on the Orientation Canvas, and we encourage you to complete the readings by August 31 to ensure meaningful participation in our Community Conversations.
The readings for Community Conversations 2023 are:
"Harvard & The Legacy of Slavery Report" - Harvard University
Executive summary
"Questionnaire" by Wendell Berry
"Factory" by Monica Sok
"How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America" by Clint Smith
National Public Radio story: "Slavery Wasn't 'Long Ago': A Writer Exposes The Disconnect In How We Tell History (35m)"
"How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question" by Michael Schur
Chapter 13: "I Screwed Up. Do I Have to Say I'm Sorry?")
"Tell Me Who You Are: Sharing Our Stories of Race, Culture, & Identity" by Winona Guo and Priya Vulchi (Chapter 1)
We hope you find the readings thought-provoking and engaging, sparking meaningful reflections and discussions during our Community Conversations. Please plan to complete the readings by August 31. Completing the readings in advance will allow us to delve deeper into the themes and engage in an enriching dialogue on Sunday, September 3rd. This is the beginning of many enriching conversations to come!