Building
Bridges is a four-part comprehensive program series intended help
students become multiculturally competent “allies”
and community members who are able to work as positive agents.
Students are encouraged to attend as many programs in the series
as possible in order to gain a fuller understanding of how program
topics relate to each other and affect us all.
Building Bridges, Part 1: Stereotypes
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
7:00-8:30PM, Devine Hall Study Lounge (1st Floor)
This workshop-style program seeks to deconstruct many of the learned
and inaccurate labels, images, beliefs, and clichés that
create and sustain certain prejudices and/or strengthen one’s
own self image at the expense of someone else. What are some of
the stereotypes that you are aware of? How do they affect your
life and/or the lives of others around you? How are stereotypes
learned and what can we do un-learn them? Please join us as we
explore these questions and others.
Building Bridges, Part 2: Privilege
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
7:00-8:30PM, Devine Hall Study Lounge (1st Floor)
In this program, we seek to enhance our understanding of privilege
by examining some of the socially constructed meanings and discourses
which underlie it. Whether earned or unearned, how does privilege
shape or maintain the social hierarchy? How does it impact our
emotional and intellectual development or our values and practices?
What can we do to increase an awareness of (and honesty about)
“our own” location on the privilege-oppression landscape.
Please join us as we address these topics and much, much more.
Building Bridges, Part 3: Social Identity Development
Thursday, April 3, 2008
7:00-8:30PM, Devine Hall Study Lounge (1st Floor)
This program will focus on (1) the process by which social identities
are developed and (2) the impact that these identities have on
our ability to work with other individuals, groups, and organizations
within a diverse community. How are social identities perceived
over time? Why is an understanding of our personal development
[in the areas of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, class,
ability, and spirituality] so vital to the advancement of social
justice and equity? Please join as we explore these questions
and more.
Building Bridges, Part 4: Multicultural Community Building
Thursday, April 10, 2008
7:00-8:30PM, Devine Hall Study Lounge (1st Floor)
Having examined the role that privilege and stereotypes play in our lives
and in shaping our identity and development, we now turn our attention
towards multicultural community building with greater resolve
and awareness. At first mention, some may initially ask, “But
what does this ‘multicultural community’ look like
anyway?” Others may even go on to question whether it is
even possible to achieve in the first place. There are undoubtedly
many challenges involved in building and maintaining a diverse
and equitable community. Amidst these challenges, however, we
seem to find ourselves in a constant state of evolution and growth.
What are some of the essential elements of the multicultural community?
What is an ally and why is it so important to be an ally? Please
join us for Part IV for the “Building Bridges” series.
Click
Here for the OMSA Events Calendar poster as a PDF file
