Several free, public events are planned for Fresno State’s Diversity Awareness Week April 28-May 2 including in-depth discussions by internationally-acclaimed experts on diversity issues and a talk by activist Angela Davis.

The observance kicked off with an opening ceremony from noon-1 p.m. today in the Free Speech Area with a machete dance, sign language poetry and interpretation and strolling and stepping performances.

Following the opening ceremony from 1:30-2:30 p.m., international researcher Dr. Lene Arnett Jensen, an associate professor of psychology at Clark University in Massachusetts, will discuss “Bridging Universal and Cultural Perspectives: Self and Social Science in a Global World” in the Henry Madden Library, Room 2206.

Jensen’s talk is presented by the World Cultures and Globalization Cohort.

Her research addresses cultural identity development in the contexts of migration and global change as well as how moral reasoning and behavior are culturally and developmentally situated.

(Info: Dr. Annabella Espana-Najera, assistant professor of Chicano and Latin American Studies, at 559.278.3020).

Dr. Karen Dace, vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion at Indiana University-Purdue, will speak at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at Fresno State’s Diversity Forum in the North Gym, Room 118.

She will discuss “Buyer’s Remorse: Is it Time for a CDO (chief diversity officer)?” for the President’s Commission on Human Relations and Equity followed by a question and answer session.

Dace also will participate in two special sessions with students at 9 and 10 a.m. Wednesday in North Gym 118 to address diverse student voices on campus.

In 2012 she published a book on race relations in university settings, “Unlikely Allies in the Academy: Women of Color and White Women in Conversation.”

(For info about the Diversity Forum, contact Chris Vieira, administrative project coordinator, at 559.278.1801 or cvieira@csufresno.edu).

At 5 p.m. Friday, May 1, activist Angela Davis will be on campus for the Fresno State CineCulture screening of “Free Angela & All the Political Prisoners” in the Satellite Student Union. Following the free, public event, the civil rights activist who once served jail time, will lead a discussion, “A Conversation with Angela Davis: Politics, Prisons and the Modern Struggle for Equality.”

Also, two diversity events will be held in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month: the Handprint Project from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Peace Garden and “The Vagina Monologues at 7 p.m. in the North Gym, Room 118.

At the free, public Handprint Project event, participants can pledge to help stop sexual violence. Students can place their handprint on a mural and take a pledge against sexual assault and to intervene if they witness such an event.

The Vagina Monologues features students making presentations and performing Eve Ensler’s award-winning play.

Tickets for the monologues event are $10 general admission and $5 for students, staff and faculty. Proceeds will benefit Fresno State’s Center for Women and Culture and the Marjaree Mason Center in Fresno.

For Vagina Monologues tickets, contact Dorothy Kolen, Women’s Resource Center, at 559.278.4435 or cwcstudentassist@csufresno.edu.

 

Other events this week include:

TUESDAY, APRIL 29

12:30-2 p.m. — Free screening of the film “Gen Silent” will be held in the Madden Library, Room 3212. The critically acclaimed documentary explores aging issues among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adults. It asks six LGBT seniors if they will hide their friends, spouses and other details of their lives to survive in the healthcare system. A brief presentation by Dr. Mitzi Lowe, interim associate dean of the College of Health and Human Services  will address research regarding LGBT elder issues.

3:30-5:30 p.m. — The Transgender Short Films Program will be held in Music Building, Room 160. Presented by LGBT and Allies Network and United Student Pride.

7 p.m. A  screening of the film “The African Cypher” will be held in McLane Hall, Room 161, followed by a panel discussion. The event is part of the Fifth Annual Fist Up Film Festival supported by the Fresno State Counseling Association and the Department of Counselor Education.

 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30

9 a.m.-1 p.m. The Black Gender Conference will be in Madden Library, Room 2206.

4-6 p.m. The film Mooz-Lum will be screened in Madden Library, Room 3212.

 

THURSDAY, MAY 1

Noon-1 p.m. A book reading, “Bridging Worlds: A Love Story Beyond Boundaries” by Ellen Bush will be held in the USU Pavilion Conference Room (lower level of the University Student Union building).

7 p.m. Screening of “Cuando Una Mujer Advanza” with artist Mare Advertencia Lirika in Peters Business Building, Room 191, for the Fifth Annual Fist Up Film Festival.

 

FRIDAY, MAY 2

Noon- 4 p.m. Annual Diversity Conference, “Building Bridges, Tackling Fears” in Madden Library, Room 3212.

For more information about Diversity Awareness Week events, call the Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute at 559.278.6946.

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader