ARCC - The Anti-Racism Commitment Coalition

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Who Gets to Be the Hero?

September 14, 2026|Courtney Paszkiewicz|ARCC Blog

When we think of superheroes, we usually picture people with incredible powers, dramatic costumes, and some kind of villain standing in their way. But who gets to be the hero? For a long time, Hollywood gave audiences a fairly narrow idea of what a hero looked like. Representation has changed significantly, but there is still value in paying attention to who gets the spotlight.

The success of characters like Miles Morales from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse shows how powerful representation can be. Miles is a Black and Puerto Rican teenager who becomes Spider-Man while navigating family, school, friendships, and his own identity. His story allows young people from different backgrounds to see themselves represented as the person saving the day rather than always being the side character.

Representation can affect how people see themselves and the people around them. Imagine being a kid who rarely sees someone who looks like you as the main character in a movie. Then you see someone who shares your background become the superhero. That moment may seem small to an adult, but to a young person, it can send a powerful message. People like me can be the hero too.

Anti-racism and racial equality are not just about correcting the past. They are also about thinking about the stories we create today. Who gets to be the hero? Who gets to be the love interest? Who gets to be the leader? Who gets to tell the story? These questions matter because entertainment can influence the way we understand race, identity, and belonging.

The next time you watch a superhero movie, look beyond the action scenes. Pay attention to who is represented and how they are represented. Pop culture may be fictional, but the messages it sends can have very real effects.

What Does Inclusion Actually Look Like?

September 15, 2026|Dazmine|ARCC Blog

A space can be diverse without actually being inclusive.

An organization may have people from different races, cultures, genders, and backgrounds sitting in the same room. But simply having different people present does not automatically mean everyone feels included.

So, what does inclusion actually look like?

Being in the Room Is Only the Beginning

Diversity can help get different people into the room. Inclusion is about what happens once they are there.

Are their ideas listened to? Are they given opportunities to lead? Are they trusted to do the work they were brought there to do? Do they feel comfortable speaking without worrying that their opinions will immediately be dismissed?

These are the questions organizations and communities should be asking.

It’s easy to say that everyone is welcome. It takes more effort to create an environment where people actually feel that way.

Inclusion Requires Action

Real inclusion can be as simple as making sure everyone has an opportunity to speak, giving credit when someone contributes an idea, listening to perspectives different from your own, and not assuming someone’s abilities based on their background.

It also means recognizing when certain voices are constantly being heard while others are being overlooked.

From my own experiences in different organizations, classrooms, and leadership spaces, I have learned that there is a difference between being invited into a space and actually feeling like you belong there. You can be included in the group and still feel like your ideas are overlooked or that you have to work harder to make your voice heard.

I have also been in spaces where I felt comfortable speaking up, sharing ideas, and being myself. The difference isn’t always who’s in the room. A lot of the time, it’s how people treat each other once they are there.

That is why inclusion requires more than representation. Having different people in the room is important, but people shouldn’t have to fight to feel like their voice matters.

Getting everyone into the room is a start.

Making sure they feel heard, respected, and valued once they are there is what inclusion should actually look like

MicDrop!

College Isn’t a Movie: What Does It Mean to Romanticize College? Quickly and easily listen to Mic Drop for free!

ARCC interns, featuring two Key West High Grads: Dazmine Jenkins and Eliany Leal Espinoza. These ladies are on the move!

Key West High School graduates and now FSU students present Mic Drop, a podcast from the Ant- Racism Commitment Coalition. Fantastic job, Eliany and Dazmine!
ARCC - The Anti-Racism Commitment Coalition

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https://player.captivate.fm/episode/91697ae8-92f3-47bf-a7f3-88fef97283f5/

College Isn’t a Movie: What Does It Mean to Romanticize College? Quickly and easily listen to Mic Drop for free!

The Power of Education and Anti-Racism

September 18, 2026|Courtney Paszkiewicz|ARCC Blog

Education has played an important role in how I understand racism and social justice. Learning about historical events, civil rights movements, discrimination, and the experiences of marginalized communities has helped me understand that many issues today have deeper historical roots.

One thing I appreciate about education is that it can introduce us to perspectives that we may not encounter in our everyday lives. Reading about someone’s experiences or learning about a part of history that was previously unfamiliar can change the way we understand the world around us. It can also encourage us to question assumptions we may have previously held.

I think anti-racism education should continue outside of the classroom as well. We can learn through books, community organizations, conversations, events, and personal experiences. The more we educate ourselves about racial justice and inequality, the better prepared we are to recognize discrimination and contribute to positive social change.