At the 2016 Association of
Writers and Writing Programs conference last spring, Claudia Rankine challenged
members to improve inclusivity of MFA Programs and literary organizations. David Haynes, a
trustee of AWP, is heading up a new AWP Committee on Inclusion. Its goals are
in the new AWP Chronicle, including (1) conversation about inclusion in
"pedagogy," curriculum, administration, and social environment. . .
." (2) development of academic program benchmarks for "inclusive
literary communities and how to teach effectively among diverse students"
(3) review of AWP "governance, policies, and projects to ensure
inclusiveness and equity." I'm humbled to be part of this committee, along
with Bonnie Culver, Oliver de la Paz, Rigoberto Gonzalez, Christopher Merrill,
January Gill O'Neil, Craig Santos Perez, Jerod Santek, Eduardo Corral, Luisa
Igloria, Julie Landsman, Sonya Larsen, Katie Hae Leo, Adrienne Perry, Kristine
Sloan, and Johnny Temple. See Rankine's comments on the AWP website, available
to the public: “”
