Student of Color Community (check out our blog!)
Brown's undergraduate population encompasses students from a wide range of ethnicities and nationalities, making it a remarkably diverse institution of higher learning. The student of color community at Brown is substantial; roughly 33% self identify as African American, Asian American, Latino, Native American, and/or bi/multiracial. A large number of students of color are involved in a wealth of activities, including but not limited to cultural and ethnic organizations on campus. One look at a sampling of organizations founded by and/or serving students of African, Asian, Latino, and Native American descent demonstrates that students of color at Brown are anything but a monolithic group, bringing to the University a myriad of talents, passions, and affinities. The Third World Center, the major hub of student of color life on campus, houses a plethora of student of color organizations and student groups.
The Third World Center at Brown University, created in 1976, was designed to serve the interests and meet the needs of all Third World students and to promote racial and ethnic pluralism in the Brown community. A large part of the unity within Brown's student of color community is due to the resources that the Third World Center offers its students, enabling both students of color and the broader population at Brown to engage in an on-going conversation about diversity within the university. For a closer look at what our student of color community looks like, and/or resources for exploring racial and ethnic diversity on campus, please follow the link above.
For a student who is not familiar with Brown terminology, the phrase “Third World” may bring forward mental images of poverty and underdevelopment. But since 1976, Brown students of color have embraced the identification as “Third World” students as a term of empowerment. Students first began using the term "Third World" over "minority" because of the negative connotations of inferiority and powerlessness with which the word "minority" is often associated. Brown students of color continue to use the term "Third World" in a similar fashion: to describe a consciousness which recognizes the commonalities and links shared by their diverse communities of origin in the US and across the world. Using the term "Third World" reminds students of the power they have in coalescing, communicating, and uniting across marginalized communities to create a safer and more open place for all individuals. This consciousness at Brown also reflects a right, a willingness, and a necessity for people of color and others to define themselves instead of being defined by others. The concept of "Third World" has special meaning for minority students at Brown. It is not to be confused with the economic definition of the term used commonly in our society today, but understood as a term that celebrates diverse cultures in a global community.
MPC Program and TWTP
The Minority Peer Counselors (MPCs) and Minority Peer Counselor Friends assist in the implementation of the Third World Transition Program (TWTP). TWTP is a three and a half day program designed to provide students with a safe space to discuss issues and concerns that affect minority students in predominantly white institutions and by offering the participants the opportunity to explore the types of institutional supports available to help negotiate such environments. The general aim of the program is to raise awareness of the many barriers that continue to challenge minority students' ability to thrive in a diverse environment. Throughout the year, MPCs aim to address the needs and concerns of the Third World community, especially those who did not attend TWTP.
MPCs are assigned to each of the first year units within all nine first year dormitories. They serve as mentors to incoming students of color. They also work in collaboration with Residential Peer Leaders (Resident Counselors, Women Peer Counselors) to implement workshops on class, race, sexism and homophobia. MPCs also expose members of the incoming class to valuable campus resources. Those interested in becoming an MPC usually apply after their first year at Brown.
Mentoring for first-year students
The ALANA (African, Latino, Asian, and Native American) Mentoring Program creates a support network between first year students, faculty, graduate/medical students, staff, and alumni of color at Brown University. The program, under the direction of Dean Kisa Takesue, fosters mentoring relationships which benefit students of color through ongoing guidance, companionship, and encouragement. It is one of many Diversity Initiatives run through our Office of Student Life.
“Since I came to TWTP in 2006 I realized that the Third World community at Brown was and has been very loving and accepting. Most of my close friends identify as students of color allowing me to relate to them on a more personal level, and because of this my experiences at Brown have been phenomenal.”
– Christian Martell 2010