We begin with the question “what do we want to keep that the pandemic has given us?” Largely co-written in 2021, this reflexive essay serves as a snapshot in time, at one stage of the pandemic, reflecting upon earlier, shared experiences at one institution of higher education. We locate each of our identities and positionalities in that space and beyond. Our essay uses Moya Bailey’s 2021 discussion of an ethics of pace to frame our thinking and collective memory work and to counter what we identified as the distinct efforts of institutions of higher education to not have places for institutional memory. We articulate that without memory places, it is impossible to build both a history of justice work in institutions of higher education and accountability that this justice work is seen through. And we ask, how are we to build justice and healing in higher education when the place is designed so that we can’t remember things, and when there seems to be a goal to not have institutional memory that remembers how, why, and by whom justice work is done? We answer the question: “what do we want to keep that the pandemic has given us?” with this: “the pace and place to remember.”
Articles by Liz Lopez
Liz Lopez is based in South Central, Los Angeles and proudly identifies as first-generation, queer, and disabled. She has a combined ten years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in educational settings within the nonprofit, K-12, and higher education settings. She received her Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs within Organizational Leadership at the University of San Francisco and Bachelor of Arts in Chicanx/Latinx Studies with an emphasis in Social Policy and minor in Education at the University of California, Davis. She aims to assist efforts that maintain and strengthen a culture and climate that is inclusive for all community members with marginalized backgrounds to thrive in education. Her research focuses on the application of disability critical race theory, disability justice, and restorative practices in higher education settings. Liz will begin a doctoral program at Claremont Graduate University in Fall 2023.