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Check out this eye-opening video “A Girl Like Me” which exposes many of the pre-conceived notions andideas about inequality that society has engrained into our culture. Stereotypes and expectations have lead to diminished views of individuals as well as lowered self appreciation. What can we do to change this? How can we make a difference?
Looking for a fun and exciting way to spend your Spring Break? Looking for new ways to challenge yourself? Want to open your eyes to a new world view? Then join REJ as we explore our world views, and challenge ourselves to understand the world we live in. Applications are now available for our Spring Break trip to Jackson, MS. We will spend a week, challenging our views, learning about our faith, crossing cultural boundaries and learning about some of the important events throughout history that have shaped our culture. The application can be found online at http://forms.westmont.edu/forms/intercultural_programs/rej_application.php. Applications are due December 1. For more information about this trip or about REJ please feel free to contact us.
There was an article in today’s paper that screamed how far we still have to go as a nation. With the upcoming election, one question that many people are afraid to voice is “What if a black man is elected president?” The article I saw in today’s paper talked about stopping a plot to assassinate presidential candidate Barack Obama. The article detailed the plan, indicating that before the assassination of the Senator, the two individuals in question were going to target a predominately black school and kill 88 people. 88 children. When will it end? When will we learn to see beyond the color of our skin, to see beyond our differences and learn to love each other? When will the ignorance and hate that people keep breeding stop destroying our nation? So here’s the question, “What if our next president is a black man?” What’s your response? Will you respond in anger and outrage, that a black man is leading our country, or will put aside differences and promote peace and equality? The choice is yours, you can continue to feed the anger, hate and discrimination that has been tearing our nation apart for centuries, or you make a difference. You can help change systems that keep people in poverty, you can help change systems that perpetuate stereotypes, and fuel the fires of racism. You can help change systems that keep all people from being equal. The choice is yours, you make the difference, you impact the future. So you decide, love or hate?
The published article can be found at these links:
Is it possible for someone to predict how you will vote in this upcoming election. Come hear Dr. Christena Cleveland from the psychology department as she discusses what makes us vote the way we do. Take a break and head over to the Armington C Lounge on October 23 at 7:00 pm and enjoy some snacks and insightful conversation as Dr. Cleveland explores the things that shape the way we vote.
Have you registered to vote? The deadline to register is October 20th. Here are several websites where you can register to vote.
https://ssl.congress.org/congressorg/e4/nvra/
http://www.rockthevote.org/
https://electionimpact3.votenet.com/declareyourself/voterreg2_ret/
And don’t forget to vote on November 4, 2008.
Here’s another opportunity to get some more information on REJ. We will will have a table out at the community picnic on Tuesday, October 7 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. So come and get some food and learn more about the organizations and clubs here on campus.
For more information contact acoleman@westmont.edu
Here is an opportunity to come and learn more about what REJ is and how you can get involved. This Monday we will be hosting a discussion with the founder of REJ, Kevin Thomas. He will be talking about why he started this organization, and what it means to him. This will just be an informal time for us to sit, have some dessert, and talk about what we as an organization would like to see happen this year. The event will be this Monday, October 6 at 7:00 pm in Founders Dining Room.
If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Alex at acoleman@westmont.edu
This article was in the news last week, it discussed how the Mississippi Supreme Court overturned a ruling that had convicted a known KKK member in the kidnapping and murder of two teenage boys in 1964. According to the Mississippi Supreme Court, there is a five year statute of limitations on kidnapping and therefore the original trial had no grounds. So here’s the question, should state legislatures be able to open civil rights cold cases even if there is a statute of limitations that has passed? It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/09/09/conviction.overturned/index.html