Alliance for Understanding

Alliance for Understanding (AU) is a program that provides students with the opportunity to explore the history of the Civil Rights Movement, Black and Jewish History in Civil Rights, as well as contemporary issues related to movement work.

Program Goals:

Join students as they explore the history of the Civil Rights Movement and contemporary Civil Rights issues together
Participate in lectures, local trips, and discussions to strengthen your knowledge of social movement history, civil rights history, and the histories of Black and Jewish communities
Bridge the gap between the past and the present as you visit cities, museums and sites to explore Civil Rights History
Walk through history and meet the individuals who peopled the Civil Rights Movement
Learn from others and deepen your self-understanding as we engage in daily reflection sessions and open discussions with your peers
Become empowered to use your knowledge and resources to create social change

Program Requirements:

The AU program is open to all interested Penn students. Knowledge of Civil Rights history or Black/ Jewish issues is NOT necessary for participation in this program. All we ask is a genuine interest in the topic, a willingness to learn, and a desire to meet and build new and unique relationships.

Program Updates 2025:

Thank you for your interest in the AU Program. Please contact Valerie De Cruz (decruz@upenn.edu) to learn more.

I really enjoyed hearing Miss Lynda Blackman-Lowry and Miss JoAnne Bland speak. This firsthand experiences were so moving and they gave me inspiration. Everyday people can create great change.

The lunch counter sit in was an experience that impacted me the most. I placed my hands on the table and closed my eyes. I was so scared. The things being shouted, glasses being thrown, people breathing down my neck talking about how they want to kill me, my chair being kicked as well. It all made it feel real. I felt myself begin to sweat and my hands began shaking. It was extremely hard to keep my eyes closed as well because I was so scared. If that is how I felt by just experiencing a simulation then imagine how the people felt who actually participated in sit ins. It put into perspective how scary something like that really was.

Personally the Memorial for Peace and Justice/ Legacy Museum was definitely the most impactful. I truly had to keep myself from crying and the rusted caskets hanging from the ceiling made me nauseous. The amount of death, known and unknown was too much. Even though I knew this and even though I am learned on it, it felt like the gravity just crystalized.