New York based DJ and cultural commentator Jay Smooth has been invited to talk here on campus on 16th November to present his dynamic public lecture, “On Hip-Hop, Race and Politics: The Way We Talk About Things.”

Find our event here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/312512005772587/

Focusing on social justice through a hip-hop inspired lens, the lecture will be followed by an “Old Skool” after party with guest DJ Excalibah, raising money for Refugee Action York.

You don’t need to look further than the nearest newspaper to see a lack of social cohesion in the UK. Miscommunication about what it means to discriminate is rife. As a group of staff and students committed to encouraging the inclusion conversation, we’ve invited Jay to help facilitate respect and understanding both on campus and further afield.

So, get involved in the conversation and donate or share our page today!

Why is this important? 

With disturbingly prejudiced headlines in the British press as well as the rise of the #BlackLivesMatter movement over in the US, it is more vital than ever to encourage cohesion within our communities – whether it be on British soil or on the other side of the pond.

In a report by York Think Tank, researchers revealed that one in ten students and workers at the University of York felt they had experienced some form of racial discrimination; amongst EU students alone, the rate is a shocking one in four. As a leading voice in sociopolitics, Jay Smooth will break the taboo about racism and encourage York staff and students to fight for change.

Cultural differences should be understood and celebrated, and Jay’s presence here at the University of York will hopefully encourage both students and staff alike to consider this. Please donate to this increasingly important cause!

Check out some of Jay's amazing work!

How to tell someone they sound racist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0Ti-gkJiXc

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Discussing Race (Tedx): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbdxeFcQtaU

How to recover from awkward racial conversations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phfvQdBZQaM

Where will your money go?

We hope to raise £2,000 to help subsidise the event and bring Jay Smooth to York. If we exceed our target the remaining funds will go towards ICCP (the Intercultural Competency Certificate Programme), a groundbreaking programme, new and unique to the University of York. ICCP encourages students to engage in similar dialogues in highly interactive workshops and events happening across the University campus.

Find us here https://www.facebook.com/events/312512005772587/

Help us succeed!

Word of mouth is often crucial to the success of an event such as this – so please share our page on social media, like our Facebook page, tell your friends and don’t forget to donate! Join in the conversation using #TalkatYork.

Help make a difference today.  Thank you!