Members of the Department of English at Northern Illinois University condemn in the strongest possible terms white supremacy as both an organized structure and an individual belief. We come together to affirm that Black Lives Matter and that Black education matters.

​

In solidarity with Black students, faculty and staff at our university, as well as Black community members across the nation, we recognize that English as a discipline has often excluded or marginalized Black aesthetic forms, Black intellectual and political traditions, Black language use such as African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and Black language users.

​

Hate has no home at NIU or in our department; we stand against intolerance toward Jewish, Muslim and people of other religious heritages, disability discrimination, gender and sexual discrimination, genocide and bigotry in any form.

​

Across our many programs, we are committed to empowering students as readers, writers, educators and agents whose words can create a more just and equitable world.

​

Learn more about an English degree at NIU!

​

Learn more about the English Department's Inclusion and Diversity initiatives! 

The four locations of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Naperville, Rockford and Oregon occupy the traditional homelands of Anishinaabe peoples—Niswi-mishkodewinan, also known as the Council of the Three Fires—comprised of the Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Odawa. Other Indigenous peoples who call this land home include the Sac and Fox, Kickapoo, Peoria, Miami and Sioux. NIU's occupation of this land is a result of ethnic cleansing and forced relocation of Native Americans in part through the Treaty of St. Louis (1804) and the Second Treaty of Prairie du Chien (1829).

​

As an academic institution, Northern Illinois University has a responsibility to acknowledge and redress this colonial legacy. To that end, NIU will educate our students, staff, faculty and visitors, as well as the surrounding community, about this history. Furthermore, as part of NIU's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, we seek to build respectful and authentic relationships with Native students, faculty, staff and local and relocated Native communities by promoting student access and success, academic research and artistry and community outreach and engagement.

​

Learn more about NIU's history!

​

Learn more about NIU's work for Racial and Social Justice, Equity and Inclusion!

DeKalb is home to Northern Illinois University, the first estate whiskey distillery in Illinois, and where barbed wire was invented. The historic Egyptian Theatre is the heartbeat of downtown and is the only one East of the Rocky’s. Arts and culture thrives featuring national, regional and local talent. Explore our museums or one of our 44 parks. Downtown is a shopping destination filled with vintage finds, antiques, restaurants and hand-made confections. Our history is embedded in the rich farmland that surrounds our area. Be sure to attend one of our many annual events including, Corn Fest, Kite Fest, and the Kishwaukee Fest Parade.

​

For more visitor information click Here!

​

In October 2020, Dr. John A. Powell, an internationally recognized expert in civil liberties, structural racism, housing, poverty and democracy, joined community members for a candid conversation about belonging and actions needed to create a culture of of belonging in our community. It's through this conversation that our community's Belonging initiative began.

​

Learn more about DeKalb's initiatives here!