“I want to show the residents the videos to educate them on the different forms of oppression and give them the tools they need to solve these problems,” Lamboley said.

While many believe diversity to be a positive and essential component of our everyday lives, there are still those who continue to discriminate against foreign cultures and ethnicities. However, a new program focusing on the importance of diversity and the negative consequences of discriminating against others will be brought to the residents of University Housing.

Becky Lamboley, a senior here at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, is heading up this initiative entitled ‘Not Where We Live.’ She is currently the Program Services Center Program Specialist for University Housing.

For Lamboley, interest in diversity started at a very young age and she’s held that passion ever since.

“Growing up I always challenged the world,” Lamboley stated. “I became more interested in different cultures.”

She is double-majoring in American Sign Language and Women’s Studies, but hopes to enter into the field of student affairs, including counseling and programming in the future.

The program ‘Not Where We Live’ is based on a true story of a Jewish family in Montana. The family’s house was recently vandalized because of their religious beliefs.

Videos from the incident will be shown for two nights in Flicks on Feb. 4 and 5 at 7 p.m.

“I want to show the residents the videos to educate them on the different forms of oppression and give them the tools they need to solve these problems,” Lamboley said.

In addition to the videos being shown, a series of eight speakers including professors and students will address the topics of diversity, oppression and discrimination throughout the spring semester.

There will be pledge cards available to all residents of University Housing that are designed for students to pledge not to participate in any negative action against a person based on race, religion or sexuality. Also, there is currently a large standing blackboard with colored hand prints and signatures hanging in the lobby of Sandburg. Students have the opportunity to sign their name and add it to the board.

This is yet another way to pledge against any discriminatory acts, since people are reminded every time they enter and exit the building. These boards will be placed at all four University Housing residence halls.

“We’re encouraging students to see what this is all about and spur some conversations,” Lamboley said.

As part of the program Lamboley hopes students will refuse to ignore hateful acts that take place within the residence halls. For example, if on the fifth floor of North Tower, a hurtful and racist comment is written on the wall, a poster will be placed by the crime that reads, “Hate happened here,” rather than having the custodial staff immediately clean it up and get rid of the problem. A resident assistant would then sign and date the poster and it will be left for all to see.

Lamboley hopes for the program to spread campus-wide and wants all students to get involved, not just residents of University Housing.

For more information regarding the program, e-mail Becky Lamboley at pscps@aux.uwm.edu or check out the Facebook group “Not Where We Live.”

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