Capital University MLK Day of Learning 2012 Workshop Descriptions
Immediately following the convocation, we welcome your participation in a number of thematic workshops. Several of the workshops will deal with issues and concerns that are important to an array of individuals and may evoke passion as well as diverse perspectives. While dialogue and interaction are highly encouraged and expected, it is also requested that both be offered in a peaceful and respectful manner. Workshops are from 10:30 am - Noon.
A. Equal Rights for Refugees in an Age of Insecurity
This workshop will define the difference between refugees and immigrants discuss the number of refugees who are in Columbus, and where they come from. We will define the rights of refugees and outline the difficulty of achieving those rights. A video that outlines the typical conditions of refugees will be shown. This workshop will discuss with the audience the tension between homeland security and Muslim refugees in the United States.
Presenters: Douglas Rutledge, Ph.D., Career Consultant, Jewish Family Services
Tariq Mohamed, Jewish Family Services
Location: Classroom 02, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
B. No Outsiders: Connecting in Community- Making All Insiders
Participants will learn to embrace cultural diversity. We will examine cultural diversity as small as interpersonal relationships and as broad as relationships of nations. Participants will leave with a broader understanding of who they are and how to relate to the Beloved Community.
Presenter: Rev., Brenda Buckwell, Westgate United Methodist Church and
The Shalom Zone
Location: Classroom 201, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
C. Islam 101
This presentation will cover the definition of Islam and Muslims, the basic beliefs of Islam, the 5 Pillars of Islam, Jesus and other Prophets of Islam, and common misconceptions about Islam.
Presenter: Jeri Milburn, Outreach Coordinator, NOOR Islamic Cultural Center
Location: Classroom 102, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
D. Understanding Homelessness
This workshop will provide an overview of homelessness from three different perspectives. We will discuss the nature of homelessness from the view of current policy, the view from shelter providers, and the perspective from the homeless.
Presenters: Carl Landry, Director, Friends of the Homeless
Tonja Schweickart, Resource Specialist, Friends of the Homeless
Location: Classroom 103, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
E. Domestic Violence 101
This workshop is designed for individuals with little or no training on domestic violence, the workshop will provide an overview of the dynamics of domestic violence and how domestic violence can impact the people in the community. This training includes information and discussion on the dynamics of domestic violence, legal and social definitions of domestic violence, domestic violence statistics and myths, different types of abuse, the Power and Control Wheel, societal responses to domestic violence, discussion on “why does she stay?” and what you and the community can do to support and empower domestic violence survivors.
Presenter: Tonia Moultry, Training and Technical Assistance Director, Ohio Domestic Violence Network
Location: Classroom 06, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
F. What’s Our Motivation to March? A Look at the Multiple Identities and Experiences within the LGBT Community
Bayard Rustin was a civil rights activist who served as Martin Luther King’s right hand man. Although he was responsible for much of the Civil Rights Movement, he was not recognized because he was an openly gay man. There are many struggles identifying as both African American and LGBT. To combat the ongoing struggles of identifying with multiple minority identities, we must all band together to create an inclusive community that is safe and equal for everyone.
Presenter: Justin Poole, President, Capital University PRIDE
Location: Classroom 07, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
G. Building the Beloved Community through Music; Drum Circle- Recreational Drumming
Play traditional rhythms of Haiti, selected from raboday, ibo, congo, yanvalou, flavodu and orthophonique. Participants will play bell and drum parts, receive instruction in technique and sound production. The cultural context of folkloric (Rara) and religious (Vodou) music will be discussed. This session is open to anyone, regardless of experience. Instruments will be provided.
Presenter: Eric A. Paton, Assistant Professor, Conservatory of Music
Capital University
Location: Crist Room, Conservatory of Music
H. Fracturing the Beloved Community: New Restrictions on Who Can Vote and How.
The Brennan Center for Justice reports that numerous “state governments…have suddenly enacted an array of new laws and policies making it harder to vote.” These laws require displays of photo identification constrict opportunities for early voting and reintroduce laws that bar “millions who have past criminal convictions but who are now taxpaying members of the community from voting.” The leaders of this workshop will describe and explain the implications of these new voting obstacles for the 2012 election and beyond.
Sponsored by: Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society
Presenter(s): Jennifer Brunner, Former Ohio Secretary of State
Robert Fitrakis, Community Organizer
Eric Vessels, editor and co-founder of plunderbund.com
Location: Classroom 261, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
I. Free to Learn: An Interactive Children’s Workshop
Art, movement, music and drama will be used to engage elementary school age children in an exploration of the history of Freedom Schools during the Civil Rights Movement, and conversations about barriers to learning that exist in today’s schools. Personal power to reduce or remove those barriers will be addressed. Attention will also be paid to the United Nations position statement on the Rights of All Children. Two children’s literature selections, Freedom School, Yes! And The Right Word will serve as grounding for the interactive workshop.
Presenter: Arts, Movement and Music Education Class, Capital University
Dr. Tobie Sanders, Professor of Education, Capital University
Location: Classroom 05, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
J. The DREAM Act
As the national debate shifts from a failed multi-year effort to obtain Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the DREAM Act in 2010, we have seen what some call: Comprehensive Immigration Enforcement. This session will be a conversation and presentation that will include DREAMers and local immigrant rights organizers. They will tell their stories and discuss where we are today with movement building, the DREAM Act movement, fighting for immigrant rights, collective identity and anti-immigrant legislation we have seen happen in Ohio and throughout the country.
Presenters: Ruben Castilla Herrera, Ohio Action Circle
Nick Torres, Ohio Action Circle
Angela Johnston, Director of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus Latino Ministry Office
Three local DREAMers
Location: Classroom 202, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
K. Civil and Human Rights Now!: (Re)Visioning of The Beloved Community for the New Millennium
How would one compare Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s idea of “The Beloved Community” to what we see in 21st century America? How far have we come with regard to civil and human rights in this country? This workshop will critically examine the idea/ideals of The Beloved Community and figure out ways in which we can put the ideals of The Beloved Community into practice. Each person will leave this workshop with clear, concrete ways they can help move American society toward The Beloved Community. With each person doing a part, we have hope of fulfilling the ideals set forth by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., over 40 years ago.
Presenter: Eva George, Assistant Professor, Capital University
Location: Classroom 112, Troutman Hall
L. Collective Responsibility: Black Male Achievement in Higher Education
Today, more than two-thirds of Black males collegians fail to earn their bachelor’s degree. Though there are many culprits in this crisis of achievement, much of the blame has been placed squarely on the shoulders of these students. We propose that instead of focusing on the perceived deficits of these students, university stakeholders truly interested in improving retention and graduation rates for this population should look inward. This workshop will help participants answer these questions using contemporary research and best practices to guide discourse on Black male undergraduate achievement.
Presenters: Todd Suddeth, Program Director, Todd A. Bell National Resource Center on the African American Male at The Ohio State University
Derrick Tillman-Kelly, Ph.D. candidate, Graduate Student Assistant in the School of Educational Policy and Leadership
Michael Williams, Ph.D. candidate, School of Higher Education and Student Affairs
Location: Classroom 114, Troutman Hall
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