MSU Diversity + Equity Network to bring advocacy back to the streets, aiming to spark conversations on equity, diversity and inclusion on campus
On Mar. 11, 2025, the MSU Diversity and Equity Network announced on Instagram that the Diversity on the Street series, giving students a chance to win prizes while sharing their thoughts on campus life and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Diversity on the Street is an Instagram reels series that amplifies the voices and thoughts of McMaster University students on diversity and equity. In each episode, a DEN executive engages with students on campus, asking questions about equity, diversity and inclusion while also raising awareness about the services DEN provides.
This past month, DEN released the first episode of the series, titled "Hot Takes for Hot Chips," where they asked McMaster students to share their hottest takes. This episode aimed to celebrate the diversity of opinions within the community.
Aisha Mahmoud, a social and political advocacy coordinator for DEN, shared her experience working on the series and its goals. She explained that DEN aims to engage students in a way that is both interactive and reflective of popular social media formats. She also emphasized that the series aims to highlight the diversity of the McMaster community.
“DEN is a service that is still finding its identity. One of the best ways that we can show who we are to students is by creating a really authentic online presence, and just putting ourselves out there by actually meeting people,” said Mahmoud.
DEN is a service that is still finding its identity. One of the best ways that we can show who we are to students is by creating a really authentic online presence, and just putting ourselves out there by actually meeting people.
Aisha Mahmoud, Social and Political Advocacy Coordinator,
Diversity and Equity Network, McMaster Students Union
Mahmoud also noted that the second
She explained that previous videos focused on diversity, equity and inclusion but they did not seem to engage students in the way DEN had hoped. As a result, DEN sought to explore different ways of showcasing diversity through these interviews.
Mahmoud mentioned that the second episode was designed to engage students with a variety of musical genres and introduce them to new artists or cultures.
“The idea is that by asking the next student to rate the previous song, we’ll be introducing them to a genre, artist, or culture they haven’t interacted with before,” said Mahmoud.
Mahmoud shared that the third episode was inspired by DEN’s recent mandate
“Everything we thought of [for the episodes] was still informed by celebrating and showcasing the diversity on campus, but maybe in ways that people wouldn’t necessarily expect,” said Mahmoud.
She emphasized that the goal was to record the videos in places where students already gather and feel comfortable, such as the McMaster University Student Centre and The Hub.
Mahmoud also shared her vision for expanding the series.
“It would be really cool if we continued this style of interviews at ClubFest, going around and introducing some of the cultural clubs or diverse groups in a street interview style,” said Mahmoud.
She also noted that they wanted to create a legacy for the series, ensuring that despite turnover from the academic year with new members joining and executive members graduating, the series would remain a consistent presence.
“We want to have a recurring series so that the identity of the service and our social media presence has one consistent throughline despite that turnover,” said Mahmoud.
The next two episodes will be released in the coming weeks. For more information and to watch the series, students can follow DEN on Instagram.
[adrotate banner="16"]
[feather_share show="twitter, google_plus, facebook, reddit, tumblr" hide="pinterest, linkedin, mail"]
By: Alex Killian/ SHEC
Want to celebrate the day of love but feel sick at the thought of corporate associations with Valentine’s Day? Do you know that expressions of love are important everyday, but want to do something extra special with someone special? Luckily, it is possible to ignore the complex marketing scheme behind the holiday. The day can be a wonderful opportunity (or excuse) to spend time with people that you love and tell them how much you love them. Best of all, incorporating grateful gestures can be done in a way that is in line with your New Year’s resolution of eating better, getting out more and spending less money.
Planning a date is always a challenge. Instead of the standard Nicholas Sparks movie in theatres, perhaps discover your city. Normally, a suggestion to visit one of the outdoor skating rinks would be appropriate, but considering the El Nino winter, it might be better to plan a hike to one of Hamilton’s famous waterfalls instead. Bring your rain boots and get moving! Alternatively, try another new activity altogether; rock climbing at the gym is a great activity for two!
In the evening, prepare a healthy, homemade dinner together to warm up. Try a fancy-looking-but-remarkably-easy spinach-strawberry-and-feta salad as an appetizer, and a frozen yogurt parfait with the fruits of your choice for desert. Use Greek yogurt for extra protein and add some honey or maple syrup for that added swirl of sweetness. Don’t forget the wine and the candles for a romantic evening! After you exchange gifts, curl up with a movie or a book.
Gifts? Though certainly not a necessity, small gifts can help commemorate the holiday. Skip the Hallmark card and revive the dying art of homemade cards and handwritten expressions of love. Delve into the world of DIY on Pinterest for inspiration. The process of making your own Valentine’s Day card or gift can be meditative and therapeutic, and you might be surprised at what you can make with youwr third grade art skills. The recipient will recognize and appreciate the amount of effort that went into the gift.
To get even craftier, fill a mason jar with individual slips of paper with written compliments, memories and reasons why your partner means a lot to you can be an exciting alternative card that can be “read” over a longer period of time. Moreover, receiving something uniquely made for you makes one feel all sorts of warm fuzzies.
If your sweetheart has a sweet tooth, throwing in Hershey’s kisses can be a nice touch. Alternatively, dark chocolates or dark chocolate covered raisons/peanuts/almonds or even coffee beans make healthier study snacks, and will be especially appreciated as midterms creep up! A midterm survival kit can also be a meaningful gift. Be sure to include coffee, tea, study snacks and useful little things like handcream, socks or gum. If you’re both bookworms, consider exchanging recent books that you each read recently, thus spreading and sharing stories.
Each holiday or special day, Valentine’s Day included, is an opportunity to create memories and traditions with your friends, partners and family. Making your holidays affordable, healthy and sustainable can make the experience together more meaningful and more yours. Happy Valentine’s Day!
[thesil_related_posts_sc]Related Posts[/thesil_related_posts_sc]
