Community Claims Williams
It’s hard to convey the power and emotion of Claiming Williams Day. With the aim of building an inclusive community on campus, the day involves discussions and explorations ranging from frank and painful to uplifting and eye-opening. Among the events packed into the schedule Feb. 2 were (pictured above, clockwise from left) Coming Out Muslim: Radical Acts of Love, a presentation exploring the intersections of Islam and queerness; “Meet me at the Savoy,” in which participants re-created the multiethnic Savoy Ballroom of the 1930s and ’40s; and a performance by All Acoustic Alliance of Bob Dylan’s Hurricane during an opening concert by Williams a cappella and other musical groups. As President Adam Falk said at the start of the day, “We can love Williams and still feel uncertain of our place here and struggle with our sense of whether we belong. Today is about honoring the true lived complexity of all our lives.” This year participants were asked to share their impressions and their photographs via Twitter, using the hashtag #ClaimWilliams. You can follow along with and add to the conversation at http://bit.ly/claimwilliams2012.