About Us
We The Cookout is a student-led publication that amplifies multicultural voices and stories at the University of Oregon and beyond.
The collective behind this blog is the University of Oregon’s chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). As a coalition of Black, Indigenous and racially/ethnically diverse students of color (i.e., BIPOC students) navigating higher education at a predominantly white institution (PWI), we have created a safe space for students to create multimedia projects and gain portfolio work.
This publication represents an opportunity to reclaim community narratives through our projects. On too many occasions, existing media has struggled to tell narratives, stories, and depictions of marginalized communities that are not restrictive, stereotypical, and/or told from perspectives that are not our own. We tell stories of our experiences, pushing past cultural cliches.
We explore Black joy, cross-cultural triumphs, local, regional, and national setbacks and everything else in between. So why the name “We The Cookout”?
In the Black community, a cookout is a meeting ground for allies of all backgrounds to laugh, eat, dance, and celebrate life together.
Our publication is a visual extension of that sentiment. It is a place where people from all communities can unite and celebrate the beauty and diversity of our experiences.
Mission
At The Cookout, we strive to strengthen the collective effort of the students of color on campus by providing a platform on which to share our experiences.
The cookout is an initiative spearheaded by the UO NABJ (National Association of Black Journalists). Together, we hope to advance journalism by increasing the diversity of perspectives across campus news media.
As a publication, The Cookout is meant to embody elements one might find at a family barbecue: community, culture, diverse perspective and most importantly joy.
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