Capital University MLK Day of Learning 2013 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.
By commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. King through service and learning, our community is strengthened and our respect for human dignity is reinforced. As in past years, normal class meeting times on the Bexley campus are suspended between 8 am and 4 pm to encourage the entire campus community to participate in the Day of Learning. For our academic community, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Learning is never a day off, but instead a day on. Please consider placing the event on your syllabus as a professional development/co-curricular learning opportunity for students.
A. Living a No-Exit Relationship with Martin Luther King
While a student at Rochester Center for Theological Studies that included Martin Luther King’s seminary and faculty with whom he studied, I was required to participate in a program inspired by King entitled “No Exit Relationships.” We were paired with someone different from ourselves [black and white, male and female, straight and gay . . .]. This “other” would be our “life partner” and to assist us in working through the challenges of this new relationship we attended group meetings weekly. This encounter became a life-changing experience. The workshop will initiate plans for organizing the same experience at Capital as we continue to work at realizing the Dream.
Presenter: Dr. David Belcastro, Assistant Dean of the School of Humanities and Professor in the Department of Religion and Philosophy
Location: Classroom 201, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
B. Islam 101
Islam 101 is an introduction to Islamic faith and culture. We will talk about the beliefs, practices, and roles of Muslims. We will also discuss myths about Islam, culture versus religion, and have time for a question and answer session.
Presenter: Jeri Milburn, Outreach Coordinator, NOOR Islamic Cultural Center
Location: Classroom 261, The Bridge of Learning, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
C. 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. This workshop will help to answer the question “why does she stay?” and what you and the community can do to support and empower domestic violence survivors.
Presenter: Tonia Lake, Training and Technical Assistance Director, Ohio Domestic Violence Network
Location: Classroom 112, Troutman Hal
D. The Civil Rights Movement of Our Generation
"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps perpetrate it."- Martin Luther King Jr.
With the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, signed in 2009, Congress and President Barack Obama have shown that they will no longer accept hate crimes, that they are taking a stand and actively fighting against all forms of hate crimes, motivated by a victim's race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, disability, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This Act of Congress marks a milestone in the current Civil Rights Movement, moving us forward toward acceptance, liberty, and justice for all.
Presenter: Justin Poole, Capital University PRIDE
Location: Classroom 07, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
E. 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: Dr. Tobie Sanders, Professor of Education, Capital University
Dr. Carolyn Osborne, Professor of Education, Capital University
Location: The Mezzanine, Harry C. Moores Campus Center
F. Confronting Racism in the Age of Twitter
From last year’s racist Tweets on The Hunger Games to the more recent Facebook post by a 22-year old California woman threatening the life of the president of the United States, social media has given us a window into contemporary views on race. Have these opinions always existed and social media allows people venue to openly express their views? What can we make of the overwhelming involvement of young people who engage in open racism via the Internet? In this workshop we will identify some of the new issues in the age of social media and in turn identify some ways in which we can adequately address racism in the 21st century-hopefully turning these incidents into “teachable moments”.
Presenter: Dr. Eva George, Assistant Professor, Capital University
Location: Classroom 110, Blackmore Library
G. Controlling Your Destiny: Tools for Collective Academic Success
A college education is key to self-determination in the United States and the global economy. This is true regardless of a person’s social position. However, a number of social forces, from both within and without, have come together to consistently portray the Black community as either uninterested in or incapable of receiving a top-notch education. We believe that a necessary first step to overcoming the effects of this toxic mindset is identifying the way it manifests in our daily lives. The next step is utilizing various tools, including emotional inventories and mentors, to craft a destiny more in line with our personal ambitions. Using popular media as a backdrop, this workshop will help participants decode the negative messages about Black educational possibility and provide practical tools for academic and professional success.
Presenters: Michael Steven Williams, M.S.Ed.
PhD Student, Higher Education & Student Affairs
The Ohio State University
Marjorie Dorimé-Williams, M.S.W., M.S.S.P.
PhD Candidate, Education Policy & Organizational Leadership
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Blossom Barrett
Masters Student, Higher Education & Student Affairs
The Ohio State University
Location: Classroom 114, Troutman Hall
H. Loving versus Virginia: the Lead-Up, the Legalization and the Lingering Story
This workshop will begin by discussing the parts of American history that opened the door to miscegenation laws. Then, the workshop will look briefly at the Supreme Court decision which struck down such laws. Finally, the workshop will look at the lingering effects of the law and its impact.
Presenter: Darren Nealy, Director, Multicultural Affairs, Capital Law School
Location: Classroom 103, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
I . Financial Stability in America
Financial stability in America has been defined as having a safe and warm place to live, enough resources to meet your family’s needs and obligations, and the knowledge to use those resources responsibly. Financial literacy/education provides the knowledge needed to manage those resources and formulate goals to improve your financial standing. Homeport will be discussing how financial literacy affects all people. The topics covered will include: Credit, Savings and Budgeting. These items are needed to be financially fit in America.
Presenter: Kerrick Jackson, Home Port Ohio
Location: Classroom 102, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
J. The Housing Crisis and the King-Lincoln District of Columbus, Ohio
An interactive discussion of the American Housing Crisis and its disproportionate effect on minority populations and the neighborhoods, culminating in a discussion of the micro level trends in the King-Lincoln District of the Near East Side in Columbus, Ohio.
Presenter: Abigail Mack, Director, Homeport Home Ownership
Location: Classroom 115, Blackmore Library
K. Music in the Civil Rights Movement: Yesterday and Today
An examination of the important role that music played in the civil rights movement including the favorite songs of Dr. King; protest songs in general; and sacred and secular music that provided soothing, relief, hope, courage, sustenance, and inspiration for the individual and the masses. Come hear this music and the analysis of how the music served the movement and the people.
Presenter: Dr. Wm. Ted McDaniel
Location: Classroom 119, Blackmore Library
L. The Circle Continues through Drumming
The drum circle is facilitated such that drummers will experience polyrhythmic style drumming and encouraged to explore several rhythm styles. One part of the workshop is designed as call and response; another invites each drummer to attempt solo drummer. The circle may also include bells, shakers, rattles, and dance.
Presenter: Barbara “Wahru” Cleveland
Location: Crist Room, Mees Hall
M. When Facebook “Likes” and Retweets Are Not Enough: The Relevancy of High Risk Activism in the Age of Obama
Can “arm-chair” activism be as effective as “high-risk” activism? Images of people standing up to police dogs and being knocked down with water hoses are engrained in our minds when we think about the Civil Rights Movement. Today, technology and social media allows us to be “activist” with the click of a mouse with no major risk or danger. In this workshop we will do several interactive activities discussing activism in the Age of Obama and the 21st century. Are there current day issues that require “high-risk” activism? What does the shift to “arm-chair” activism mean to Martin Luther King’s activist legacy?
Presenter: Chryl Laird, Ph.D. candidate, Department of Political Science, The Ohio State University
Location: Classroom 02, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
N. Religiously Inspired Peace
In this year alone there have been countless instances of religious profiling and hate crimes. Sikhs have been killed, a mosque has been burned, and it seems that religiously inspired violence has reached a high point not seen since the religious violence against Muslims and Sikhs after 9.11. This workshop challenges this seeming trend by focusing on religion as a building block for peace and demonstrating how it can be applied to social issues and to everyday life. We have the ability to create a peaceful and just society, and we challenge you to help us create it now.
Presenters: Stephen Aldrich, Capital University Interfaith Association
Location: Classroom 06, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
O. Reclaiming our Democracy: Balancing the role of financial contributions and grassroots voices in today’s elections.
Special interest money has long had a corrosive effect on our politics, but in 2010, the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision unleashed a new era of unprecedented spending by a handful of millionaires and corporations on our elections. Since, then we've seen outside campaign financiers spend over $6 billion on the 2012 presidential campaign and other races. This wave of outside cash threatens to drown out the voices of ordinary citizens and fuels apathy and hopelessness among the electorate. Although it will be an uphill battle, it’s time for the American public to fight for control of our democracy with the same defiance and strength of Dr. King and make this a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Presenter: Tabitha Woodruff
Location: Classroom 202, Ruff Memorial Learning Center
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