By Kyle Quarles
“On Graceland’s Campus, we all deeply care about social justice, and that is one of the primary goals when we talk about ‘radical belonging.’ That is essentially an integral part of social justice.”
Dr. Iqra Shagufta Cheema is a professor in the Humanities Department with a specialty in Social Justice. Alongside being the Social Change major coordinator, Cheema is a pioneer of critical thinking on Graceland’s campus.
“I’m particularly invested in thinking about social justice with my students on Graceland campus, because (...) in the current political climate it's very critical for students to be able to think about different ideas- be able to articulate their opinions- be able to also formulate informed opinions so they can understand the things that are happening around them because those are the things that are going to shape their lives, but also that are going to shape the lives of generations that will come after them.”
Cheema attended the University of Faisalabad in her home country of Pakistan before finishing her education in the States at the University of North Texas. While there, she worked as an editor for Pakistaniaa—A Journal in Pakistan Studies.
Last August, Cheema arrived at Graceland with a strong understanding of what was required to achieve social justice. As Cheema explained in the earlier quote, students need to be able to form their own opinions rather than those opinions being taught to them.
Cheema is also an accomplished author. Her most recent book, ReFocus: Films of Annemarie Jacir (published last December), was recognized by the Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association, a prestigious British association in the field. This spring, Cheema will continue to teach courses that challenge students to think such as Composition II, Gender and Sexuality, and World Literature.
Cheema is an incredible, intelligent woman with a shining personality and her ideals will move Graceland forward. Instilling ‘radical belonging’ into the systems in place at Graceland is one task. Teaching students to exhibit the inherent acceptance of others is another task entirely; a move that helps reach the community of Graceland. In this way, Cheema represents the future of Graceland, and, if her example is anything to go by, we have a future to look forward to.
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