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K-State Today

September 13, 2016

Campus, community organizations unite for social justice events

Submitted by Patrice Scott

Not Just a Year of Social Justice

The College of Education and its partners announce several social justice-related events taking place across campus as part of this fall's "Not Just a Year of Social Justice Education" program. Topics range from school finance to mascots to civil disobedience.

The program was launched in fall 2015 to usher in greater awareness and understanding about issues of social justice and how they impact individuals and society at large. The speakers and events complement the college's graduate certificate in social justice education. All events are free and open to the public.

Linda P. Thurston, associate dean for research and graduate studies and Lydia E. Skeen professor of education, said the power of this program is in collaboration.

"There are examples all around us of the ways we as a society are succeeding concerning social justice and where we have work to do," Thurston said. "By bringing educators and future teachers together with community-based organizations, we are harnessing a collective power of change for good. We encourage people who are passionate about inclusion, diversity and acceptance to attend these events, and welcome those who are open to it."

Please mark your calendars for the following activities:

• Tony Jurich Lecture Series on Social Justice Sept. 22: Christi McGeorge, professor of human development and family science at North Dakota State University, will present "The Ethical and Just Treatment of LGB Clients: Beliefs and Practices of Family Therapists" at 2 p.m. in the K-State Student Union's Little Theatre. This event is presented by the marriage and family therapy program, School of Family Students and Human Services and College of Human Ecology.

• Lou Douglas Lecture Series on Public Issues Sept. 27: Lecia Brooks, outreach director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, will present "Toward a Civil Discourse in a Time of Change" at 7 p.m. in the K-State Student Union's Grand Ballroom. This event is sponsored by the UFM Community Learning Center in partnership with the College of Education.

• Distinguished Educational Research Lecture Series Sept. 29: Kern Alexander, excellence professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign will present "The Rise and Decline of the Public School Ideal in America: Politics, Law and Finance" at 9:30 a.m. in Forum Hall at the K-State Student Union. This event is sponsored by the College of Education.

• College of Education documentary premiere Oct. 3: "A Walk in My Shoes: Social Justice in Education" will premiere at 1:30 p.m. in Forum Hall at the K-State Student Union. The film depicts the stories of five people and the defining moments that led them to become educators. This documentary was produced by the College of Education. Watch the trailer online.  

• Indigenous Peoples Day Oct. 10: Cornel Pewewardy, a Comanche-Kiowa professor who serves as director of Indigenous Nations Studies at Portland State University, will present "Reclaiming Indigenous Voice and Vision in Education" at 10:30 a.m. in the Leadership Studies Building's Town Hall.

Jean Dennison, an Osage assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Washington, will present "Sovereignty as Accountability: Theorizing from the Osage Nation" at 2:30 p.m. in the Leadership Studies Building's Town Hall. The keynotes and all of the other presentations will be streamed live.

The Indigenous Peoples Day is sponsored by the K-State Indigenous Alliance, College of Education — Dean's Office, educational leadership department, Diversity for Community Committee, and social justice education graduate certificate — Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President, Dow Center for Multicultural and Community Studies at K-State Libraries, College of Arts & Sciences — Diversity Committee, English department and anthropology program — K-State LGBT Resource Center, multicultural engineering program and K-State Alumni Association.

• Lou Douglas Lecture Series on Public Issues Oct. 11: Tim Wise, antiracism writer, educator and author will present "Combatting Racism in the Post-Obama Era" at 7 p.m. in the K-State Student Union's Grand Ballroom. This event is sponsored by the UFM Community Learning Center and co-sponsored by the College of Education, Housing and Dining Services, K-State First, Office of Diversity and Student Governing Association.