In an email advertising the weekly Women of Color Collective meetings at John Jay College of Criminal Justice that are solely for “self-identifying women of color and allies,” John Jay described itself as a “place for vibrant cultural discussions” while simultaneously providing “safe spaces for discussion.”
The email obtained by MRCTV shows John Jay informing students about events happening on Thursday, Dec. 3. The event details for the Women of Color Collective reads:
John Jay is a place for vibrant cultural discussions and safe spaces for discussion. With that in mind, the Women of Color Collective provides an opportunity for self-identifying women of color and allies to connect and share their experiences.
According to the website provided for the Women of Color Collective,
The Women of Color Collective is a safe space for self-identifying women of color and their allies to engage in meaningful dialogue, share their cultures and experiences, and gain support during their academic journey at John Jay College. Women of Color Collective meetings will be student-led discussions about current events as they pertain to the multiple issues facing women of color.
The website lists the Women of Color Collective as an event being hosted by the school’s “Women’s Center.”
The John Jay Women’s Center for Gender Justice has shared politically-charged items on Facebook such as an article titled, “Violent Anti-Choice Rhetoric Must End, or Anti-Abortion Violence Never Will,” a post in “solidarity with #Mizzou,” an advertisement for buttons with transgender pronouns such as “ze/zhir/zhirs”, an notice about an event with BDSM toys on display, and a quote from Hillary Clinton about how “being pro-choice is trusting the individual to make the right decision for herself and her family.”
It is not clear whether points of views that deviate from the narrative held by members of the Women of Color Collective are welcomed as part of the “vibrant cultural discussions” or whether the need for “safe spaces” overrides the “vibrant cultural discussions.”