About 500 people attended the 7th Annual Diversity Summit in an all-day event on Friday that focused on improving diversity on campus and featured keynote speaker Rev. Jamie Washington, who emphasized the commitment to eliminate all forms of oppression. “Seldom do I get in a space and feel like the community has really been working on diversity and social justice,” Washington said. Washington encouraged participants to build relationships in the breakout sessions that followed. He said that many people tell him that he is preaching to the choir about the issues he talks about. “Well you all are the choir, and the choir needs rehearsal,” Washington said. Washington presented a pyramid called the Diversity Journey in Higher Education. He talked about constantly evaluating ourselves and the organizations we interact with. “We want you here but we want you here in this way,” said Washington on the restrictions we place on people that represented us. According to Washington, people don’t always think about diversity including more than race. He said we find differences in cultural norms. It is important he added that people always remember that and evaluate their thinking. “Diversity means difference as equal,” said Washington. Washington said that for Americans to move forward, we have to acknowledge power, privilege, entitlement and internalized oppression and dominance. DU needs to look at where it is as an organization and campus, he added. He talked about recognizing the benefits of diversity and presented a model that shows where an organization is generating greater diversity and inclusive excellence. “You can’t get to where you want to be unless you know where you are,” said Washington. His model includes all students participating in decisions that shape an organization. “I want us to be a social justice movement, not a social justice monument,” Washington said.”Movements are flexible and able to expand. It’s about the commitment to the cause. If you get tired, rest and then keep on going, and don’t ever stop.” “This is a marathon and you need to be ready for the long-haul,” Washington added. Washington said another step in the process is to follow through with broader social and environmental responsibilities. He said a lot of people will hang out with a different race, or only gays, or a specific group and then say that they are inclusive and understanding of diversity. A lot of people will know the words to say and the terms but not actually understand the meaning and culture behind them. “Understanding and using the right words equals a big fat zero,” Washington said. He said it is more important to talk to our peers and the groups we hang out with and let them know about issues of diversity. Washington encouraged DU to keep up the good work and to continue in its commitment to inclusive excellence and diversity on and off campus. Chancellor Robert Coombe spoke about the Diversity Summit, which was started by DU senators. “The idea for the university is to be much more reflective of the world around us,” Coombe said on continuing to implement more diversity programs like the summit. The event was hosted by the Center for Multicultural Excellence.