“Do You Have a Dream? Sustainability, Social Justice, and Vision for Tomorrow” by Lori Randall in Fellows Computer Lab. Limit: 24 people.
For many of us, the intersection between environmental sustainability and social justice is a vast, unexplored territory. Participants in this session will explore that territory through dialogue and a short, online activity designed to help each of us acknowledge our individual and collective impact on both the environment and the just distribution of resources and goods. This session challenges participants to consider questions such as the following: What is the common good, how does environmental sustainability factor into definitions of the common good, and can we/how can we achieve a global common good? What can I do as an individual to promote social justice and sustainability? What can we do as a society to promote social justice and sustainability? Are current sociopolitical and economic structures and ideals – such as the nation-state; capitalism; materialism; consumerism; scientism; globalism; militarism; or even the money economy – suited to the creation and/o r maintenance of a just and sustainable future? If not, what kinds of sociopolitical and economic structures and ideals might be better suited to the task? Come to this session prepared to think radically, to listen respectfully, and to share courageously!
“Exploring Solidarity” by Esther Hernandez, Autumn Goodrum-Davis and Lex Grimm in Burton Morgan Lecture Hall.
This presentation is designed to make the audience realize that activism and privilege are not strictly black and white. Participants will gain awareness of the different types of activism that exist, and how they can use identity differences and individual privileges to help. The audience will leave this presentation having learned about Solidarity through the lens of activism, intersectionality, and privilege.
“MLK, Mass Incarceration and Ohio” by David Singleton, Esq. in Barney Davis Board Room.
A look at the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. with an eye toward what he would be thinking, doing, and saying about Mass Incarceration in Ohio if he were alive today.
“Poverty, Race, Class & Culture: Understanding the complex relationship between poverty, race, class & culture in America” by Robert L. Caldwell, AnswerPoverty.org, in the Roost in Slayter Hall. Limit: 50 people.
Poverty Race Class & Culture is a practitioner training module designed to unpack the effects of race, class and cultural bias, on racial and ethnic minorities living in low income central city communities. It addresses how these biases hinder opportunities for true understanding and authentic relationship between people of different races, ethnicities and economic backgrounds in America.
“Sanctuary Campuses” by Olivia Aguilar, Catherine Stuer, Regina Martin, Marlaine Browning, Anna Lim, Mary Tuominen, Brandon Wafford, Armando Roman, David Avalos and Andrea Romero in Higley Hall Auditorium.
The term “Sanctuary Campus” began to spread rapidly across academia in the wake of the 2016 election. While this term may signal a safe zone for particular students, it may also have unforeseen consequences. As many campuses are developing their own definitions and implementations of the Sanctuary Campus status, the term has become even more elusive. At the Denison Town Hall meeting on Active Citizenry, December 12th, 2016, it became clear that there was a need to further clarify language around the term “Sanctuary Campus” and to discuss options for Denison on this issue. Though some attendees voiced that declaring sanctuary status would symbolize support for diversity and inclusiveness at Denison, questions regarding the possible repercussions of this action remained. We believe further conversation opened to all parties (students, administration, faculty and staff) will help in efforts at a community-wide search for best arguments regarding a university stan ce with potentially symbolic, legal, political and financial consequences. To this end the workshop will explore: 1) what it means to be a sanctuary campus; 2) the benefits and consequences of declaring this status; 3) how other schools have addressed this issue; 4) how Denison should address this issue; 5) next steps towards acting on this issue. In addition to clarifying questions surrounding sanctuary campus status, we believe this workshop will help to continue efforts at open and collective dialogue around campus needs in the wake of the election and encourage community building and active citizenship.
“How Do You Say Black Lives Matter?” by the POWER Ambassadors Teaching Circle in the Center for Teaching and Learning, Library A07.
In 1951, the Civil Rights Congress presented a petition to the United Nations that accused the United States government of genocide against the black citizens of the United States. The petition cited the Genocide Convention’s definition of genocide, which states that a genocide is the killing, or serious mental or physical harm, inflicted on members of a group of people, based on nationality, ethnicity, race, or religion. Movements like #BlackLivesMatter, reveal how state-sanctioned violence persists today. This workshop explores the different ways we can communicate about state sanctioned violence, across economic, social, and cultural barriers. It is geared to those at the beginning of their social justice journey. People of all national, ethnic, racial, religious, gender, and sexual identities are welcome and encouraged to participate. Workshop participants will engage in partner and large group discussions about how state-sanctioned violence is discussed, such as within the Martin Luther King Jr. Day performance, POWER: From the Mouths of the Occupied. They will also reflect on how different languages and mediums either connect or disconnect them from the subject matter, what forum resonates with them, and the ways in which they can continue learning and talking about oppression and injustice.
“When our Tools Hurt: Social Media, Intimate Relationships and the Conflicts of Technology” by Cameron Morrison, Maggie Chamberlain, Andrew Read-McFarland and Alina Hailiuc in Slayter Hall Auditorium.
In his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance address, Martin Luther King, Jr., remarked: “In spite of these spectacular strides in science and technology, and still unlimited ones to come, something basic is missing. There is a sort of poverty of the spirit which stands in glaring contrast to our scientific and technological abundance” (1964). King’s legacy challenges us to realize a more intentional, humane relationship with our technological tools and, more importantly, aspire to treat one another with dignity and respect. King’s words resonate in a contemporary age where social media platforms and other tools have, on the one hand, facilitated widespread connections and, on the other hand, continue to wound, doing especially irreparable harm to those who suffer humiliation and degradation within their frameworks of exchange. We want to invite members of the Denison community to view the documentary film, Audrie and Daisy, which offers a riveting account of the horrific aftermath of sexual assault as that aftermath was broadcast and processed across various mediated platforms. Among other lessons, the film raises provocative questions about communication, relationships, and the potential harm some technologies may facilitate. This session will involve watching the film in its entirety followed by a facilitated discussion about attendees’ reflections on what they viewed and how we can use the lessons learned to better our community. Student-facilitators will play a key role in promoting dialogue. This session is open to all students, faculty, and staff.
