The Multicultural Center’s week-long “Dr. Edwin Coleman Speaker Series: A Celebration of Activism,” which will address issues ranging from labor rights to diversity, will kick off on Tuesday. Scheduled speakers include Bobby Seale, founder, chairman and national organizer of the Black Panther Party and Edward James Olmos, award-winning actor, director, producer and community activist.
The celebration, named for one of the first faculty members of color at the University, will be launched Tuesday when speakers, including Mexican activist Agustin Lira, with his band Alma, will speak and perform about labor rights issues.
Tuesday evening, the MCC will show the film “Slaying the Dragon,” which critically examines various stereotypes Asian women frequently face, such as expectations to be naive, submissive and quiet, said Javier Hernandez, MCC program organizer.
On Wednesday, students and community members have the opportunity to attend the Dr. Coleman benefit dinner, featuring Seale and Olmos. The cost for the benefit dinner is a suggested donation of $8.
Hernandez said Mexican style foods will be served as part of a buffet. The proceeds will be donated to PCUN, the Spanish acronym for the Northwest Farmworker Union.
There will be keynote addresses by Seale and Olmos following the dinner. Hernandez said MCC members are excited to hear Seale speak about founding the Black Panther Party in the 1960s.
“One of the reasons why we chose for him to come here is because we want to know more about the climate during that time,” he said.
Olmos will also deliver a keynote address relating to activism and his personal experiences as an activist.
MCC program organizer Darlene Dadras said Olmos usually speaks to under represented audiences who have no voice in their communities. Dadras said college students are not among Olmos’ typical listeners, but they also need to hear his message.
Hernandez said the MCC invited Olmos because it will be showing his film “Americanos: Latino Life in the United States” as part of the celebration. The film, which has not received widespread release yet, will be shown Thursday evening. Hernandez said the film portrays the roles Latinos living in the United States play in their communities.
“We’re honored to have this film,” Hernandez said.
Seale will also speak Friday at noon at the MCC and engage in an open forum with students.
In an effort to encourage diversity among faculty and University departments, MCC members will give out the “zero awards” on Thursday at noon in the EMU Amphitheater to departments that currently lack tenured faculty of color.
Hernandez and Dadras said they hope the awards, given to both first-time and past recipients, will provide an incentive for more diversity in the more than 10 departments that currently do not have tenured faculty members of color.
“It’s important because right now there are several search committees in place because this is the hiring season for several departments,” Hernandez said.
Another event promoting diversity will be held Saturday in the EMU Ballroom. The Black Student Union is hosting a Black Arts Festival, which will include a variety of musical performances and a step show.
Hernandez and Dadras said MCC members have been working to organize the speaker series since October and are now looking forward to seeing their efforts come together this week.
MCC program advocate Jamila Singleton said she hopes the events will educate the campus community as well as the community at large about labor and diversity issues.
“I’m looking forward to all of them,” Singleton said. “I’m hoping to see students from all over the campus gather together and hear the speakers.”
Dadras said although the events are combined for the purposes of the celebration, every event is a highlight in its own right. She also said all events are important in reinforcing the messages the MCC tries to convey.
“I feel like the celebration of activism is a great line for what the MCC is hoping to bring to this campus,” she said.
Multicultural Center to host week of diversity
Daily Emerald
April 2, 2000
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