UF’s Multicultural and Diversity Affairs kicked off its new, themed monthly events by teaching students about healthy New Year’s resolutions.
The event, titled “Decolonizing New Year’s Resolutions,” aimed to encourage students to improve themselves overall, rather than focusing on a specific goal that could perpetuate harmful Western standards of beauty and health, said Diana Moreno, the department’s assistant director. Students participated in art activities in four areas of the Reitz Union.
“It would mean really focusing on improving your entire self and not just your physical self,” she said.
Morano, 29, said the event was the first the department held this Spring. The events, which were held sporadically in Fall, will now be regularly held the second Monday of every month.
An example of an unhealthy resolution would be a student starting the new year trying to lose 20 pounds, Moreno said. Since someone’s health can’t be determined simply by a number, the student should address why they want to lose weight and focus on being healthy or in shape.
Other healthy resolutions could include students working to improve personal relationships or academic life, she said. Students in the LGBTQ+ office placed fingerprints on a poster board in categories representing which parts of their lives they would like to improve in 2017.
The Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs office held canvasses for students to paint a picture or words representing their resolution.
Visitors to the Black Enrichment Center used a worksheet to map out a healthy goal. Cristian Laureano, a 20-year-old UF criminology junior, sat in the Hispanic Latino Affairs office cutting magazine headlines to create a collage.
Phrases he pasted onto the orange paper included “I’m Ready,” “To Be Outspoken” and “Radiance.” Laureano said his goal for the new year was to simply improve every part of his life.
“Most of these are just things I need to work on myself,” he said. “I feel like a lot of people make goals because they want to impress other people rather than impress themselves.”
Cristian Laureano, a 20-year-old UF criminology senior, pastes cut-out magazine headlines onto a collage representing his New Year’s resolution to improve all aspects of his life. Laureano was participating in Multicultural and Diversity Affairs “Decolonizing New Year’s Resolutions” event on Monday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
