Documenting Social Justice and Activism

ODU Social Justice and Activism Archive

Social activism is critical to the development of a democratic society. The Old Dominion University Libraries Special Collections and University Archives collects and preserves the history of the University and its constituents including students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as the Hampton Roads community. In light of this mission, Special Collections and University Archives is working to document our community’s experiences during the ongoing international, national, and local #BlackLivesMatter movement, as well as stories of past involvement in similar social justice movements.

We consider it important to preserve individual histories in this unprecedented time. We are actively seeking personal stories related to social activism and the concerns of historically marginalized groups including, but not limited to, African Americans, Asian Americans, LGBTQIA+, Latinx, and Native Americans. Therefore, we invite Old Dominion students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the Hampton Roads community to share here about their participation in and experiences with #BlackLivesMatter and other social justice movements for the purposes of documenting and preserving personal histories.

Any personal identifying information provided in this form will only be shared with individuals connected to this archiving project at Old Dominion University Libraries Special Collections and University Archives. It will not be published, displayed, or shared in any other way without the express permission of respondents (see questions 10 and 11). By participating in this survey, you are indicating that you understand these provisions.

Question 1

Have you participated in any advocacy or activism for the #BlackLivesMatter or other social justice movements such as attending/organizing protests or contributing to the cause in other ways (financially, on social media, etc.)?

Yes
No
Not yet, but I plan to

Question 2

If you have engaged in advocacy or activism for #BlackLivesMatter or other social justice movements in any way, please explain what the activity was, where and when it occurred, and the community group or other organization you worked with.

Question 3

Why did you decide to engage in the above-mentioned advocacy or activism? If you did not engage in any advocacy or activism, please explain why, as well.

Question 4
If you participated in any advocacy or activism, how would you describe your activism or advocacy experience? What did you observe or take away from it? Did anything stand out or surprise you?

Question 5
What do you want people in the years to come to understand or know about this time period and your individual lived experience?

Question 6
What is your affiliation? (select all that apply)

Question 7
What city, county, and state do you reside in?

Question 8
Please provide your first and last name:

Question 9
Please provide your current email address:

Question 10
I agree to make the information I provided in this survey available in the following ways:

In person by request from researchers
Publicly accessible on the web
All of the Above

Question 11
I agree for my full name to be used alongside my survey responses in all of the contexts selected above:

Yes
No