• OVC Social Justice Resource Page | #OVCforChange Engagement Series Archive
As part of the
#OVCforChange initiative, OVC student-athletes, coaches and administrators will engage in dialogue to help shape a course of action and invoke change on a variety of social issues impacting their lives.
This week's feature is with Eastern Illinois head football coach
Adam Cushing. Cushing is in his second year with the Panthers after being named the 25th coach in EIU history on December 9, 2018. Prior to coming to EIU, Cushing spent 15 years on the staff at Northwestern. Cushing is a native of Chicago and played collegiately at the University of Chicago.
Why is it important to be an advocate for social change/justice?
"Being an advocate for social change is important because it is an either/or proposition. Either you are an advocate for change and part of the solution, or you are satisfied with the status quo and part of the problem."
What are the responsibilities of the individual in regard to issues of social justice?
"Individual responsibility begins with critical thinking. We must all take time and make concerted efforts to understand how our socialization has affected our position, viewpoint, and blind spots. For most individuals, this is uncomfortable, but there is no growth in our comfort zones. Constant and continuous understanding of the layers and environmental biases which have affected us make us capable of true empathy for others. We must exhibit this empathy through listening and being an ally in the fight for social justice."
What should we be doing as a society to combat social inequality?
"As a society, we should be identifying and implementing changes at the micro level. Widespread change will occur with the compound effect of innumerable changes within individual communities and organizations."
What other emotions would you like to express about the current state of our society?
"The enormity of the daily battle for the hearts and minds of individuals, including myself, is daunting. On a daily basis, I am torn between heartache and hope. Heartache for the injustice of the past and present, and hope for our future that we can design TOGETHER."