Listen to Change is a collection of audio interviews that explore the varied backgrounds of people at Chico State. The motivation behind the project is not only to generate an understanding of diversity, but also to inspire a stronger representation of the experiences of individuals and communities on campus through arts, events, programs, curriculum, and faculty and staff training. We hope these eight interviews from the Spring 2017 semester are the first set of many stories from students, faculty and staff.
Listen to Change.
Stories to encourage understanding of diversity and inclusion at Chico State
"When you can look at yourself in the mirror and feel like you're not worth it, it's real easy to look at the next brother or sister and say, 'They ain't worth it.' "
"It's not even until I look at pictures or in the mirror that I think about how I am a Mexican."
"Other people shouldn't be allowed to determine what gender I am based on the clothes I wear or the haircut I have."
"You lose your dad, who is supposed to be this superhero, and then you end up homeless. That isn't supposed to happen to anyone, and you don't think it will ever happen to you."
"It was really hard to try to guide myself towards college and to try to guide myself towards a coping method that was healthy."
"Am I good enough? Am I ready? Can I be the person this baby needs me to be?"
“We connected very deeply in a lifestyle that we both left behind. A lifestyle that we didn’t embrace and bring into this world.”
“I was 2 years old when I came to the U.S., so I learned how to ride a bike here, and read, learned how to talk English and Spanish at the same time. I was very young, so this is my home. This is all I know.”
A lot of gratitude goes out to all of the students, staff, and faculty who contributed their time, personal stories, knowledge, and skills to help produce this project. That includes the Web Services team who got this page up!