WEBBTIDE 2001-2002 @ SHORELINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Volume 37 No.15 May. 10 - May. 23, 2002 [ ARCHIVE ] [ FEEDBACK ] [ HELP ]
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Shared knowledge and experiences creates a multicultural campus

.
      Multicultural week was April 26 to May 3. This years theme "Many Dreams: One Community" was represented by a pageant of workshops, symposiums and lectures. These presentations were opportunities for both sides of the microphone.
      From the audience, uninitiated students could expose themselves to a culture unlike their own and student within these cultures could see their perspective represented.
      From behind the microphone, cultural community leaders and spokespersons could voice information and concerns to an attentive audience. Multiculturalism does not seek to create a homogeneous culture, but to nurture an appreciation of, or a piqued interest, in many cultures. An understanding of diversity is key to appreciating the multicultural community.
      How one defines multicultural is as subjective as and diverse and the students in attendance at these events. As such, the participants themselves best represent the affect of the week.
      On May 1, the First Nations Club presented a symposium discussing native sovereignty, legal structure and relationship with the U.S. government. Shoreline's own Instructor Ken LaFontain, the Honorable Roma Smith of the Warmsprings Tribal Courts, and Les McConnell of the U.S. Forestry Service were the key speakers.
      Shoreline student Jon Retzler said, "I can't think of a better way to bring students together in the formative stage of their lives. I define multicultural as the full spectrum of humanity, the cherishing of that humanity no matter how diverse. Each one deserves respect and a voice."
      Retzler continues, "The last campus I attended was basically one culture one race. Shoreline is much more diverse than the University of Idaho. At Shoreline, many different cultures are represented on campus. They are not inhibited, they have a voice."
      Instructor Christine Landon, a symposium organizer, views multicultural events as a means to "expand beyond the classroom and interact to overcome stereotypes. These are an opportunity for students and faculty to go way beyond the curriculum: for all communities to voice their views and issues and have an exchange in a structured environment which deals with the nitty-gritty."
      Landon notes, "the two social enterprises to break down barriers between cultures were higher education in the late 60s and the military in 1948." In that vein, Landon challenges students to embrace multiculturalism; "Recognize the limits of your knowledge and question the accuracy of what you know. Take risks. Engage in class. Take a good, hard look at each other and keep coming back."
      May 2 saw the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Trans-sexual workshop sponsored by the Rainbow Club. Wendy Wartes and Tom Blossom of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbian And Gays) lead the discourse on topics ranging from sexual minority role models to discriminatory practices on campus and on the streets.
      The diverse audience of students and faculty alike listened attentively to Wartes speak about her gay son's experiences at Shoreline. Wartes described his reaction to jokes and comments against gays, his developing sexual identity and eventual acceptance by the international club and other friends.
      Blossom and Wartes invited students to get involved with PFLAG activism. Interested students can reach the Wartes at the Bellevue chapter at: PFLAG Bellevue 16109 NE 169th Place Woodinville, WA 98072 phone: (425) 483-6642 helpline: (425) 468-4653 pflagbellevue@hotmail.com
      Kathy Hunt presented her lecture "In Search of the Goddess" May 2 as well. Hunt discussed goddesses in art and literature, their intersection with social mores and social impact. Some interesting points from Hunt's presentation included: The common theme of the male vanquishing goddesses as a political tool to meld conquered and conquering peoples, a living goddess in Nepal, and the emerging AIDS goddess in India.
      After the lecture Gary Holland and Sarah Holland shared their experience. Sarah indicated the lecture exceeded her expectations. "I was very excited." Sarah said, "I had Kathy as an instructor so I was excited to be able to relate to the material from her class."
      Sarah continues, "It was a good group of goddesses; this information is a good way to represent the class, Comparative Religion (PHL 210). The event showed openness to goddesses and goddess culture. Students transcended traditional religious and ethnic barriers today.
      When asked if Shoreline is multicultural, Sarah replied, "Absolutely, not only from my experience but my friend who was visiting from Evergreen College. She spent the day on campus and just hung-out. She kept saying, 'There are so many different kinds of people here.' This campus is so diverse. This is a great opportunity to meet millions of types of people."
      Sarah's husband, Gary Holland, said the lecture exceeded his expectations. Which were that the topic would be nebulous and confusing. Gary said, "I came away from the lecture with a sense that I could relate to the topic of Goddesses."
      Gary continued, "This topic in inline with my personal interests. I see it as a means to understanding myself, I have ancestral ties to goddess worshiping cultures. The more I understand about me, the more I can understand others.
      Gary defined multiculturalism as "the study of differences in peoples lives and what the bring to the centralized arena. These differences come from cultural experiences."
      Sarah's definition was much simpler, "Everybody! The inclusion of everyone."
      A simple walk across campus or through the PUB building confirms the diversity of our college. Many skin tones and dialects decorate the quad. A common theme emerges from the definitions aforementioned: the appreciation of diversity and willingness to learn about other cultures.

.

by Ty Garfield

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Shared knowledge and experiences creates a multicultural campus
.	Multicultural week was April 26 to May 3. This years theme "Many Dreams: One Community" was represented by a pageant of workshops, symposiums and lectures. These presentations were opportunities for both sides of the microphone. From the audience, uninitiated students could expose themselves to a culture unlike their own and student within these cultures could see their perspective represented. From behind the microphone, cultural community leaders and spokespersons could voice information and concerns to an attentive audience. Multiculturalism does not seek to create a homogeneous culture, but to nurture an appreciation of, or a piqued interest, in many cultures. An understanding of diversity is key to appreciating the multicultural community. How one defines multicultural is as subjective as and diverse and the students in attendance at these events. As such, the participants themselves best represent the affect of the week. On May 1, the First Nations Club presented a symposium discussing native sovereignty, legal structure and relationship with the U.S. government. Shoreline's own Instructor Ken LaFontain, the Honorable Roma Smith of the Warmsprings Tribal Courts, and Les McConnell of the U.S. Forestry Service were the key speakers. Shoreline student Jon Retzler said, "I can't think of a better way to bring students together in the formative stage of their lives. I define multicultural as the full spectrum of humanity, the cherishing of that humanity no matter how diverse. Each one deserves respect and a voice." Retzler continues, "The last campus I attended was basically one culture one race. Shoreline is much more diverse than the University of Idaho. At Shoreline, many different cultures are represented on campus. They are not inhibited, they have a voice." Instructor Christine Landon, a symposium organizer, views multicultural events as a means to "expand beyond the classroom and interact to overcome stereotypes. These are an opportunity for students and faculty to go way beyond the curriculum: for all communities to voice their views and issues and have an exchange in a structured environment which deals with the nitty-gritty." Landon notes, "the two social enterprises to break down barriers between cultures were higher education in the late 60s and the military in 1948." In that vein, Landon challenges students to embrace multiculturalism; "Recognize the limits of your knowledge and question the accuracy of what you know. Take risks. Engage in class. Take a good, hard look at each other and keep coming back." May 2 saw the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Trans-sexual workshop sponsored by the Rainbow Club. Wendy Wartes and Tom Blossom of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbian And Gays) lead the discourse on topics ranging from sexual minority role models to discriminatory practices on campus and on the streets. The diverse audience of students and faculty alike listened attentively to Wartes speak about her gay son's experiences at Shoreline. Wartes described his reaction to jokes and comments against gays, his developing sexual identity and eventual acceptance by the international club and other friends. Blossom and Wartes invited students to get involved with PFLAG activism. Interested students can reach the Wartes at the Bellevue chapter at: PFLAG Bellevue 16109 NE 169th Place Woodinville, WA 98072 phone: (425) 483-6642 helpline: (425) 468-4653 pflagbellevue@hotmail.com Kathy Hunt presented her lecture "In Search of the Goddess" May 2 as well. Hunt discussed goddesses in art and literature, their intersection with social mores and social impact. Some interesting points from Hunt's presentation included: The common theme of the male vanquishing goddesses as a political tool to meld conquered and conquering peoples, a living goddess in Nepal, and the emerging AIDS goddess in India. After the lecture Gary Holland and Sarah Holland shared their experience. Sarah indicated the lecture exceeded her expectations. "I was very excited." Sarah said, "I had Kathy as an instructor so I was excited to be able to relate to the material from her class." Sarah continues, "It was a good group of goddesses; this information is a good way to represent the class, Comparative Religion (PHL 210). The event showed openness to goddesses and goddess culture. Students transcended traditional religious and ethnic barriers today. When asked if Shoreline is multicultural, Sarah replied, "Absolutely, not only from my experience but my friend who was visiting from Evergreen College. She spent the day on campus and just hung-out. She kept saying, 'There are so many different kinds of people here.' This campus is so diverse. This is a great opportunity to meet millions of types of people." Sarah's husband, Gary Holland, said the lecture exceeded his expectations. Which were that the topic would be nebulous and confusing. Gary said, "I came away from the lecture with a sense that I could relate to the topic of Goddesses." Gary continued, "This topic in inline with my personal interests. I see it as a means to understanding myself, I have ancestral ties to goddess worshiping cultures. The more I understand about me, the more I can understand others. Gary defined multiculturalism as "the study of differences in peoples lives and what the bring to the centralized arena. These differences come from cultural experiences." Sarah's definition was much simpler, "Everybody! The inclusion of everyone." A simple walk across campus or through the PUB building confirms the diversity of our college. Many skin tones and dialects decorate the quad. A common theme emerges from the definitions aforementioned: the appreciation of diversity and willingness to learn about other cultures.	.
by Ty Garfield