About Us
FACES Council is Boston College’s only anti-racist organization on campus. Joining FACES is probably the best thing that you can do for yourself at Boston College, especially if you are disappointed with the lack of open conversations on campus regarding issues of race and diversity. If this sounds like your experience at Boston College, then this list of the top nine reasons you should apply for FACES Council is for you!
9. You’re tired of talking about issues of race on campus with your roommates (or in your classes) and want to do something about it.
Courtesy of gravel72/Flickr
If you have talked circles around the racial issues on campus but have no clue how to translate these conversations into action, then consider joining FACES. FACES' main mission is to educate others about issues of race and advocate for racial justice on campus. While on Council you can take the conversations of frustration that you have with your roommates and turn those conversations into meaningful action by helping to educate the rest of the student body.
8. Your definition of race includes the word social-construct.
Courtesy of UggBoy/Flickr
If you know what I just said, then this one needs no explanation. Just go and apply. You get it, and we want you.
7. You are not perfect and you know you are not perfect.
Courtes of Fatma M./Flickr
Members of FACES council do not purport to be experts in the field of race and racial justice. We are just a group of individuals who realize that race is still a big deal, and not in the way that it is constructed in the media. While on FACES council you are still going to learn about race and you are still going to have your own prejudices and preconceived notions.
You might even have a group of friends that make the occasional racially-charged joke and while it makes you uncomfortable, you do not speak up. That’s fine—you are human and so are the others members of FACES Council. Being a member of the council is a learning experience.
6. There is no better way to be men and women for others than educating the rest of the Boston College community about race.
Courtesy of Lawrence OP/Flickr
Here at Boston College, we pride ourselves on our commitment to social justice. Yet, often, we find ourselves plunging into communities that are completely different from the communities in which we grew up. FACES often works with service groups or PULSE groups who find themselves confronted with issues of race at their service sites. In doing so, we provide the students with the historical background and context to some of the issues that the community faces.
5. Learn to be a leader on campus.
Courtesy of Patricia Drury/Flickr
As a FACES council member, you will have a number of opportunities to individually lead group discussions, presentations and work with a variety of people and other organizations. It is the perfect leadership experience because you get to hone all the qualities that make you an effective leader.
4. To be the ideal American citizen during and after college.
Courtesy of Cristian Ramíre/Flickr
Outside of college and after college, people should very easily recognize the effect of systemic issues of race. Why? Well, when you are the CEO of a Fortune 500 company or a tech inventor in Silicon Valley, you need to understand why there is a lack of diversity in your field. I am not talking about a general understanding of the reasons; I mean an in-depth understanding. What better way to begin plotting how to make your field more diverse and enriching than by joining an organization like FACES?
3. Patience and Persistence.
Courtesy of Angela Cirrone Smith/Flickr
There are times when you will do a presentation or a program that will leave you frustrated. You will feel as though you did not get through to a single person you were presenting to. It happens, and believe me, it is very frustrating. However, it is for this exact reason that FACES Council members learn patience and persistence. Even though it seems like you haven’t made a breakthrough with some of the people you’ve met, at least you’ve planted a seed in that person’s head. Until then, don’t back down. So if you’re impatient, you will inevitably learn patience, and everyone knows patience is a virtue.
2. It looks good on your resume.
Courtesy of CharlotWest/Flickr
When your face lights up during a job interview as your explaining what FACES council is to your potential future employer, it reflects positively on you. This sends out a great signal to your employer, because it shows that you did not spend your entire college life drinking heavily, as is the stereotype.
1.You will meet some of the coolest people.
Photo courtesy of Francesska Jean-Pierre/Gavel Media
I have met some of the greatest people on this campus during my time as a member of FACES Council. It is awesome way to meet new people who happen to care about some of the issues that you care about. Honestly, you do have to be at least cordial with the people with whom you do anti-racist work, because it’s tough. We all need to rely on each other to keep each other going.
So there are some reasons why you should apply for FACES Council. Remember to like us on Facebook.
Here is the link to download the application.
Francesska is a proud Bostonian. She is a Political Science and Sociology major with a minor in Faith, Peace and Justice. In other words, she often has no time for herself. When she does have time for herself, she spends it tackling tough issues such as various social constructs or she is being indoctrinated by MSNBC because CNN has turned into a joke and Fox News is Fox News. She is an ardent supporter of the New England Patriots and Boston Celtics and a bandwagon Red Sox fan. Eager to share her opinions she joined Gavel Media as a staff writer. When she is not sharing her opinion in Gavel articles, she is sharing them on twitter @toearlyforthis.
