La Crosse White Privilege Symposium 2021

December 3 and 4, 2021, ​La Crosse Center  
Virtual workshops will be recorded and available for all paid attendees for 21 days following the event.
COVID-19 Protocol
A FULL COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 test result (dated after 5 pm on November 30, 2021 or later) will be required to attend WPS La Crosse in person. If you register to attend in person - you can modify it to attend virtually at no charge until December 1, 2021.
TPI is committed to family safety, wearing masks, social distancing & sanitizing throughout our events.

Thank you to our Partners!

What is White Privilege?

Unfamiliar with the term "white privilege"? 

Take a look at the short article White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack​ by Peggy McIntosh, originally published in 1989, which popularized this term. This version of the article includes notes from Peggy, a white women, that explain how the article can be shared in groups in respectful, sensitive ways that encourage self-reflection, insight, and community-building actions. 
Watch and Learn! ​​White Privilege Conference founder Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr., speaks about the meaning of the term white privilege.
Is white privilege really an issue in this region?

Listen to these UW-La Crosse students of color describe their recent experiences in the La Crosse community with racism, prejudice, and bias. This student-produced video is entitled "Inclusive Negligence - Helping Educators Address Racial Inequality at UWL."

Read more about the creation of this video.

What is a White Privilege Symposium?

White Privilege Symposiums are day-and-a-half regional gatherings held all over the country every year, allowing communities to come together to discuss what white privilege is, how it is systematized in our culture, and how we can work together to eliminate race-based privilege and create more equitable, welcoming communities. For example, Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, held a September 2018 White Privilege Symposium that, because of its proximity, was attended and well-received by a number of La Crosse residents. Read more about White Privilege Symposiums on The Privilege Institute website.
​Watch and Learn! One of many popular culture explanations of white privilege on Youtube.
Yes, white privilege really is an issue -- across the country, and in our own communities, too. 

​Read this February 2019 La Crosse Tribune news article entitled La Crosse rally decries hate crime targetting Muslim business owner.
Symposium Host Planning Committee Members (responsibilities bolded): 
  • Laura Abellera (She/Her/Hers) is a Social Responsibility Speak team member at UWL faculty. Workshops
  • Kristi Bechtel (She/Her/Hers) is a Comprehensive Community Services Program Service Facilitator at La Crosse County. Marketing/Advertising/Outreach and Volunteer Coordination, Sponsorship
  • Carrie Bergum is a Retired Spanish Teacher in the Holmen School District. Carrie attended WPC in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2009. 
    Scheduling and Sponsorship
  • Amanda Dotson ​(She/Her/Hers) is the Director of Program Development at the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault in Madison, WI. 
    Social Media, Dane County & Madison Area Marketing Liaison, Scheduling
  • Alyssa Gostonczik (She/Her/Hers) is the Assistant Director of Internships in the Career Services Office at Viterbo University. 
    On-stage Announcer, Sponsorship, Scheduling
  • Thomas Harris (He/Him/His) is Assistant Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Services at University of Wisconsin – La Crosse (UWL). Thomas has attended every WPC since 2004. Host Committee Leader
  • Josh Hertel (He/Him/His) is an Associate Professor in the Mathematics and Statistics Department at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse (UWL) with expertise in the teaching and learning of mathematics. Facility Coordination, Budget, Sponsorship
  • ​Elizabeth Janvrin (She/Her/Hers) is an Educator Coach at Head Start. 
    Program Booklet and     Workshop Presenter Outreach
  • Steve Minnema is a retired Presbyterian minister. Workshop Presenter Outreach
  • Eddie Moore Jr., PhD, Founder & Executive Director for The Privilege Institute
  • Melissa Murray (She/Her/Hers) is the principal at Lincoln Middle School in La Crosse.
    Youth Action Project (YAP) Coordinator
  • Jenni Oliver, Institute Operations & Social Equity Advancement for The Privilege Institute
  • Raj Ramnarace, Law Enforcement instructor at Western Technical College. Public Safety Liaison
  • Arlette Rodriguez-Miller (She/Her/Hers) is the Executive Director at the Greater La Crosse Area Diversity Council (GLADC). 
    ​On-stage Announcer, Volunteer and Hotel Accomodation Coordination
  • Pat Ruda (She/Her/Hers) is the Justice & Peace Promoter at Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA).Pat attended WPC in 2019. 
    Food & Beverage and Volunteer Coordination
  • Michael Slevin (He/Him/His) is the University Centers Assistant Director at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse (UWL). Michael attended WPC in 2010. Facility Coordination, Budget, Sponsorship, Scheduling, AV, Workshop Presenter Outreach
  • Mark Solyst (He/Him/His) is a Senior Pastor at English Lutheran Church in La Crosse. 
    Complimentary Logistics and     Workshop Presenter Outreach
  • ​Bridget Todd-Robbins (She/Her/Hers) is the Youth System of Care Administrator at La Crosse County’s Washburn Corner. Bridget attended WPC in 2014. Youth Action Project (YAP) Coordinator
  • Scott Tyink (He/Him/His) is a Consultant for Educators Specializing on Classroom Equity, Social and Emotional Learning at The Origins Program in MPLS, MN. Personal and Professional Development Coordination, Sponsorship
  • Dodie Whitaker (She/Her/Hers) is a Singer/Educator/Song Activist. Entertainment Coordination

Past Committee Members
  • Ebony Hyter (She/Her/Hers) is a Community Health Worker at St. Claire Mission. 
  • Karissa Sanchez Traun (She/Her/Hers) was a Family Medicine resident at Gundersen Health System.