It’s official: American Promise director Michèle Stephenson is coming to OSU next month.  Our College of Education CLD group is organizing and hosting her visit with the generous support of several campus partners.  Flyers are coming soon.  In the meantime, please write two dates in your calendar:

  • On Monday, April 14, we will show the short 45 minute version of the film and host a panel discussion about the Black male experience in predominately White schools. This will take place in the Corvallis High School Theater, starting at 4 PM.
  • On Tuesday, April 15, we will show the longer 80 minute version of the film, followed by a talk with director Michèle Stephenson.  This will start at 7 PM in Milam Auditorium.

If you have not yet seen the trailer, go to http://www.americanpromise.org.  The film follows two boys, one of which is Michèle’s son Idris, from kindergarten through high school graduation.  It centers on their experiences as two of just a few African-Americans at the prestigious Dalton School.  It speaks to the unique experience of African-American boys in schools, to visibly standing out as an ‘only’ at school, to parenting styles/concerns, to issues of social class, etc.

We are so looking forward to the discussions!

As reported in the Barometer, racist graffiti appeared on campus last week.  Since then, students have started an I, Too, Am OSU campaign.  This Wednesday, March 12 at 1 PM, Oregon Students United (OSU) will lead a Solidarity March to honor our campus diversity and support each other. The purpose of this event is to promote student voice responding to the two reported incidents of racism on our campus. The route will start at the Pride Center, then flow to Snell Hall, the Women’s Center, Asian Pacific Cultural Center, and finally end the event at the Native American Longhouse at 2 p.m. for the Student Led Round Table Discussion. Pizza and drinks will be provided.