Beyond Tolerance Workshop Series
All Workshops will take place at 7:00pm in the Sill BoardRoom of the vonLeibig Center for Science unless otherwise noted
September 24
The 'Culture of Poverty' and Other Myths that Harm Low-Income People
DR PAUL GORSKI EdChange America, George Mason University
Current discourse about class and poverty are based on social models that were dismissed by social scientists in the 1970's. One model which has enjoyed a resurgence of late is the "culture of poverty" model--the notion that poor people are poor, not because of systemic inequities, butbecause of their "deficient" values and beliefs. In this workshop we will tackle these models, explore the lies behind common stereotypes of low-income people, and develop a more accurate framework for understanding — and eliminating --poverty.
Dr. Gorksi is a leading teacher educator in the field of multicultural education, founder of EdChange America and currently Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary and Integrative Studies at George Mason University.
October 15
DR CLARENCE LUSANE School of International Service, American University
Obama’s Odyssey and Ours: The Transformation of Domestic and Global Politics and Race Talk in the Obama Era
Win or lose, Barack Obama’s political journey has transformed the discourses and practice of politics in the United Starts and around the world, particularly in regard to the issues of race and national identity. Obama’s race is paradoxically neither determinant nor insignificant but interlacing in shaping the next stage of U.S. politics. While his campaign for president – and the issues that it generated – do not represent an end to black politics, it does represent a turning point in Civil Rights and Black nationalist paradigms that have come to define black progressive politics. He has opened up a third line of progressive politics that reframes the stakes that black Americans hold in leading the whole country in the 21st century.
Dr. Clarence Lusane is an Assistant Professor of Political Science in the School of International Service at American University. He is also an author, activist, scholar, lecturer, and journalist. For more than 25 years he has been active in national and international anti-racism politics, globalization, U.S. foreign policy, human rights and social issues such as education, crime, and drugs.
November 18
DR EVENE ESTWICK & DR GINA ZANOLINI MORRISON, Wilkes University
I hear what your hair is saying!
Corn-rows, locks, mohawks, perms, braids, weaves, highlights, extensions! Every style says so much and yet intercultural communication course content often overlooks the importance of these pervasive non-verbal signals. Hairstyles and hair care issues—those subtleties that can go so deep and may be interpreted so differently depending on group membership -- are rarely discussed in the educational setting. The co-presenters will discuss Black, White, and international practices and perspectives on hair. Participants will be invited to share their reactions to images of various hairstyles and join in the discussion about what hairstyles communicate to others.
Dr. Gina Zanolini Morrison teaches Multicultural Education, and Dr. Evene Estwick teaches Intercultural Communication, both at Wilkes University. As friends and colleagues from different backgrounds, their most lively conversations continue to be about hair. Dr. Morrison is from Northeastern PA and Dr. Estwick is from Barbados
February 11
SRA JOYCE GOMEZ DE AVILA, C.A.F.E.
It’s not just about language, Its about culture!
This workshop is designed specifically for those who want to broaden their understanding of Culture. In our workshop we will discuss Deep Culture, Cultural Communication Tendencies, and Current Issues effecting Latinos. Participants will learn ways to be better communicators with others by understanding their own cultural communicative tendencies and exploring others.
Joyce M. Avila, MA is a Puerto Rican, who received her Masters in Bilingual – Bi Cultural Education, has been a classroom teacher and currently is the President of her own Company; CAFÉ Creating and Facilitating Equality. In 2006, she was nominated and selected as Role Model for young women in PA by the Pennsylvania Commission on Women and Featured in “Voices”, African American and Latina Women in Pennsylvania, Share Their Stories of Success”.
March 25, 7:00pm Sill Board Room, VLCS
TCHET DERIC DORMAN, Temple University
**FOR MEN ONLY** Real Men are Feminist: The Roles, Challenges and Power of Men Eradicating Sexism
As the title suggests, this workshop is for real men only! It is intended for participants to enter into a dialogue about the role of men in reducing and eliminating sexism. This session will help participants understand how sexism manifests in society on an institutional and individual basis, particularly as it relates to the construction of gender. Participants will share the challenges that they believe men face in taking an active role in promoting gender equality.
Tchet Dereic Dorman is has a wide variety of experiences as an educator, administrator and political activist/organizer. He has been a university faculty or staff member at 14 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. He presently serves as the Director of Student Services in the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Temple University