Constantino Dumangane Jr

(He/him)

Job/background

​Lecturer/Assistant Professor, Education, Programme Leader, MA in Social Justice and Education 

• BA, Binghamton University
• JD, Washington College of Law
• MSc, Cardiff University
• PhD, Cardiff University
• Fellow, Higher Education Academy

What does EDI mean to you? Why is it important to you?

EDI (and Equity) involve ensuring fair treatment and opportunity for everyone. Equality apportions equal value to everyone, regardless of their protected or socio-economic characteristics. Diversity ensures human rights are respected and protected. Equity recognises that everyone originates from different backgrounds and circumstances, which should be recognised to ensure a fair environment where everyone can fully participate in society. Inclusion intersects equity, equality and diversity to develop transparent practices that create safe environments that foster inclusive participation. As an African-American gay male I have experienced numerous forms of discrimination based on my race, class and sexual orientation in the US and UK. EDI is important to me because it focuses on eradicating prejudice and discrimination to provide a safe and equitable playing field for all to achieve their potential in spite of their protected characteristic(s).

How are you involved in EDI activity at York? 

• SREF Operations Team: organising events and collaborating with student groups on BAME issues pertinent to all students and staff. 
• Decolonising Education Collective, decolonising curricula while increasing recognition of BAME contributions to education.

People who inspire me in relation to equality

My Mother and Father, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, Marsha P. Johnson, Simon Woolley, Lady Phyll; Shirley Chisholm, Mahatma Gandhi, Lewis Hamilton, Pierre and Adrien Gaubert

Do you have any advice on how to engage with EDI activity in York?

Spend some time alone reflecting on your own personal areas of bias, prejudice or discrimination (all of us have them regardless of whether we admit it). Make a list. Then make time to engage with someone who is different from you whether that be based on race/ethnicity or a protected characteristic. Make a conscientious effort to listen, hear and discuss one or two areas where you lack a degree of knowledge. Be open to learning from someone who is different from you. Afterwards, consider joining SREF or a Society within your College that focuses on promoting understanding on EDI issues. “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change” - Mahatma Gandhi. Be the change you want to see!

You can talk to me about

Race, decolonisation, faith/non-belief, class, disability, LGBTQIA+ inequalities