The MCLA Day of Dialogue is an annual event that emphasizes campus-wide participation in a unique day of alternative education, where traditional day classes are suspended, and campus members are encouraged to learn more about various social issues in this country.
This alternate educational approach encourages the full engagement of students, faculty, and staff to create a dedicated space for thought-provoking discussions and workshops. This year’s event, taking place on Wednesday, October 23rd, will be held in a hybrid format, with both in-person and remote sessions available, ensuring accessibility and allowing broad participation from the campus community.
One of the focal points of this year’s Day of Dialogue is the concept of erasure: a term with profound implications across various aspects of society and culture. According to a 2016 New York Times article, erasure refers to “the practice of collective indifference that renders certain people and groups invisible,” highlighting the ways certain individuals, communities, and narratives are dismissed or overlooked. It also emphasizes how ideologies can suppress inconvenient facts, diminishing the history, pain, and achievements of those who are systematically marginalized.
There are several forms of erasure, each of which will be explored during this year’s event. Cultural erasure refers to the deliberate abandonment or forgetting of cultural practices, traditions, and histories. This form of erasure often occurs when dominant groups impose their values and norms upon non-dominant groups, ultimately suppressing the cultural identities of minority communities.
Over time, cultural erasure leads to the loss of languages, rituals, and art forms, silencing the voices of those whose heritage has been systematically erased. In today’s globalized world, many Indigenous and minority cultures continue to face this struggle, as their cultural practices are overshadowed by mainstream, dominant narratives.
Historical erasure is the intentional, or unintentional, neglect of significant historical events, often through rewriting history or leaving out crucial details. This form of erasure frequently manifests as the ways certain narratives are upheld and enthusiastically talked about, while others are dismissed.
For example, textbooks in many educational systems focus on the achievements of dominant groups, while neglecting the contributions and struggles of marginalized populations. By omitting these crucial historical perspectives, society risks perpetuating incomplete and inaccurate understandings of the past, which in turn shapes present-day ideologies and power structures.
Another form of erasure, called self-erasure, is a deeply personal and often painful experience, where individuals feel compelled to hide or diminish their own identities for reasons typically related to physical and psychological safety. This form of erasure can manifest in various contexts, including racial, sexual, gender, and religious identities.
People engage in self-erasure as a means of survival in environments where their authentic selves are not accepted or safe. While it may offer temporary protection, self-erasure can lead to long-term emotional and psychological harm, as individuals are forced to suppress integral aspects of their identity.
The MCLA Day of Dialogue invites participants to explore these forms of erasure and examine the broader implications they have on identity, memory, and society. By confronting what has been omitted, silenced, or forgotten, this year’s Day of Dialogue encourages attendees to reflect on how erasure shapes not only personal and collective histories, but also the present. The goal is to reclaim lost narratives by fostering critical conversations that move us toward truth and reconciliation.
Reclaiming these narratives is essential in understanding the full scope of our shared histories. When marginalized voices and experiences are silenced, the broader society suffers from a lack of understanding and empathy. Only by bringing these stories to the forefront can we work toward a more inclusive and equitable future. This year’s Day of Dialogue aims to encourage participants to engage with difficult questions: What has been lost through erasure? How can these lost narratives be reclaimed? How can we ensure that future generations do not repeat the mistakes of the past by perpetuating erasure?
By creating a space for these discussions, MCLA is fostering an environment that values diverse perspectives and experiences, recognizing that true education goes beyond the classroom. It requires listening, reflecting, and actively working to understand the ways society has silenced certain groups and histories. This year’s event promises to be a transformative experience, offering the opportunity for participants to reimagine more inclusive narratives that honor the contributions, struggles, and identities of those who have been historically overlooked.
Through examining erasure in its various forms, the MCLA community will take a step toward healing the divides caused by exclusion and misunderstanding. The Day of Dialogue invites everyone to participate in these critical conversations, creating a more empathetic, informed, and inclusive campus culture.
