By Patrick Greenwell
The University of Louisville places a great deal of emphasis on diversity education.
Now, students in Prof. Angela Orend’s Diversity and Inequality class are sharing the lessons they have learned with the city of Louisville.
Orend was a graduate student two years ago, with a part-time job teaching the sociology department’s Diversity and Inequality class. As a class project, Orend had her students design public service announcements in the form of billboard messages.
Through a prior association with Maloney Outdoor Advertising, she was able to have the class’ designs posted on actual billboards in downtown Louisville. Now a visiting professor, Orend is once again trying the billboard project.
Despite the scope of the assignment, the process by which these billboards are devised remains relatively simple.
In groups, students design, either by hand or with the aid of programs, various potential PSAs.
The subjects of the billboards can cover any topic students wish to address, and they are allowed to take any stance on the issue about which they feel strongly.
This year, however, increased importance has been placed on U of L’s diversity statements, so that the billboards might better reflect the university’s efforts to promote diversity awareness.
Once all the designs have been completed, the entire class will vote to decide which will be put on the actual billboard.
Orend said she feels this kind of project engages students and allows students to be more proactive in both the classroom and the community. By using their designs to address a large audience, she said she hopes that students will feel that they have actually made a difference.
Sophomore sociology major Chris Lanham said, “Only when you are aware of a problem can you fix it.”
“These billboards give us a chance to create awareness on a wide audience about many different issues regarding inequality and diversity.”
This year, issues addressed include disability, sexual orientation and voter participation. In her class, Orend places a great deal of emphasis on the subject of social power and various areas of social inequality.
According to Orend, the course seeks to inform students of all sides of an issue, the pros and cons of various major topics. More importantly, Orend tries to empower her students and foster a commitment to change.
“All social movements are started by people,” said Orend, “The question is, how do we start one on a smaller scale?”
Orend said she hopes to have the billboards up prior to winter break, so that her students will be able to see their work in its final form, and the location placement downtown in the area around Fourth Street Live will allow them to get a good deal of public attention.
“To me, this public service announcement for diversity can be a small step for change,” said Megan Gullet, sophomore sociology major.
“I am sure people that drive by our billboards will not all of a sudden change their minds on certain beliefs they hold, but at least it will be noticed. It will make people think.”
