main content 21st Annual Ray Warren Symposium Explores the Concept of Borders
This year’s Ray Warren Symposium on Race and Ethnic Studies, held November 13-15, is titled On the Border. It will examine the different borders we experience, the role of borders in our lives, and the relationship between borders and ideas of race and ethnicity.
Beyond Divisions
In what ways do borders keep us from each other and for what purpose? How do borders “other” and racialize those on “the other side”? Where might we find areas of joy, hope, and connection despite the divisions that borders can create? These are just a few of the questions that will be explored during On the Border, the 21st annual Ray Warren Symposium on Race and Ethnic Studies.
Student Cochairs
The student cochairs for this year’s symposium are Meilin Beloney BA ’26, Sonali Blair BA ’25, Alicia McMahon BA ’25, and Damaris Medina BA ’25.
Building this symposium from the ground up alongside my fellow cochairs and Prof. Brodkin has strengthened my communication and teamwork skills in an environment that welcomes learning and teaches adaptability.
As cochairs, we wanted to create a symposium about exploring how borders impact us, the world, and communities around us, and what happens when we break down those borders and connect with each other.
Through the symposium, I’ve been able to combine my passion for volunteering with my desire to make a positive impact.
I truly believe that the Ray Warren Symposium is one of Lewis & Clark’s most important events because it is the only annual program that holds intentional space for BIPOC scholars, students, and faculty to share their work
Symposium Events
There will be several opportunities for Lewis & Clark to engage in Community Dialogues that offer structured conversations about physical space, identity, and culture; in addition, there will be a roundtable that will reflect on the outcome of the 2024 presidential election through the lens of ethnic studies, and a faculty-moderated panel about students’ experiences with borders.
Cochair Sonali is particularly excited for these dialogues. “I hope this discussion catalyzes these conversations beyond the symposium and into other social groups on and off campus about the real impact of borders on our lives and identities. I hope this specific event also encourages open dialogue as a way to transcend borders and foster empathy as we engage with other people’s personal stories.”
Cochair Meilin addresses another event that will foster dialogue surrounding borders. “ Frontiers [of Dreams and Fears] is an incredibly moving documentary by Palestinian-American filmmaker Mai Masri that follows the everyday lives and friendship of two Palestinian girls, one living in a refugee camp in Beirut and one living in occupied Bethlehem. It showcases the brutal and heartbreaking reality of occupation and dispossession, and the ways in which borders can be used as a tool of violence.”
Following the symposium itself, cochair Damaris highlights a service opportunity for Lewis & Clark students, faculty, and staff to continue their advocacy. “One event I am looking forward to most is the post-symposium service project where we will be building bathroom, cleaning, and personal care Restart Kits together. This event is in partnership with two fantastic organizations: The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) and Refugee Care Collective which help immigrant and refugee families in Oregon settle in and get the resources they need.”
Additional events include a dance workshop hosted by the Palestinian Jafra Dabke Team and a fashion show coordinated by Leanne Robinson BA ’25. The symposium will conclude on November 15 with Race Monologues, an annual performance of personal narratives about race, ethnicity, and identity. This year’s presenters are Shubhika Baral BA ’27, Jazmin Contreras BA ’26, Alina Cruz BA ’25, Anna Kwett BA ’26, Christi San Diego BA ’27, Judith Segovia BA ’25, Mari Sheppard BA ’25, Mithila Tambe BA ’25, and Cole Whitaker BA ’25.
Warren Symposium Ethnic Studies Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement (IME)
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