Welcome! Below is a list of the planned activities sponsored by the Multicultural Center for February and a list of the cultural holidays and celebrations for this month. Enjoy!
For further information, contact Karen Roth, Director of Multicultural Activities at COCC, at kroth1@cocc.edu or call at 541-383-7412 for more information.
Programs and Events
Cultural Student Club meetings in the Multicultural Center:
Latino Club, Wednesdays at noon - 1 pm
Black Student Union, Wednesdays at 1:30 – 2:30 pm
First Nation Student Union, Tuesdays at 10 - 11am
Spanish Conversation Group
Every Monday, 12 - 1 pm, in Campus Center room 116
This conversation group is open to anyone willing to converse in Spanish.
The Season of Nonviolence honoring the legacies of King, Gandhi, Chaves, and Mankiller continues:
This series of events honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatmas Gandhi, Cesar Chavez, and Chief Wilma Mankiller for their work to advocate for human rights using non-violent methods of resistance. Their work has inspired countless others across the globe to use the power of non-violence to overturn brutal regimes and inhumane treatment. The events listed below show how we can create a better world without promoting violence and physical harm.
Day of Zinn - Celebrating the Life and Works of Howard Zinn
Wednesday, Feb. 1, OSU Cascades
12 - 12:50, Cascades Hall 246
Social Justice Teach-In for students, staff and faculty; Facilitators: Professors Natalie Dollar and Jim Foster
Readings: 2-4pm, Cascades Hall 107
All are invited to sign up to read one of your favorite Howard Zinn pieces. All are invited to come and listen to these readings!!!! Sign up to read one of your favorite Howard Zinn pieces: www.signupgenius.com and click on “FIND A SIGN UP” Enter the email address: ndollar@osucascades.edu. Click on the link “Readings” and click on “Sign Up”
Dinner, movie and discussion: Open to all, Wed., Feb. 1, 6-8pm, Wille Hall
RSVP for the dinner and movie: www.signupgenius.com and click on “FIND A SIGN UP” Enter the email address: ndollar@osucascades.edu. Click on the link “Dinner & a Video” and click on “Sign Up”
Singer/Songwriter, Johnsmith
Free Concert: Thursday, Feb. 2, 7 pm, Wille Hall, Campus Center
Johnsmith, a gifted singer-songwriter and moving performer, shares his music that delivers an honest and sensitive account of a keenly observed life-journey. Through his alchemy of music and words and performance, he holds up a mirror to our society, to convey and reveal the secret, inner mysteries of life.
The Creative Process: 3:30 – 5, Wille Hall, Campus Center
JohnSmith will share his expertise in combining lyrics, melody, and performance as a musical artist. This is a relevant activity for writing students/classes as well music & fine arts students/classes. Johnsmith’s presentation is free and open to everyone.
Hunger Banquet
Tuesday, February 7, 5 pm, Wille Hall, Campus Center
The Oxfam America Hunger Banquet, raises awareness about global hunger. Oxfam America is an international poverty-relief non-profit that helps raise awareness about global hunger by sponsoring this free educational event, so come and experience what real poverty means. Find out why organizers and guests alike call it a "memorable," "powerful," and "life-changing" experience.
White Out?: The Future of Racial Diversity in Oregon
Thursday, Feb. 9, 6:30 pm, Wille Hall, Campus Center
Although 2010 Census data show Oregon’s population becoming more racially diverse, the state remains one of the whitest in the nation. Although many Oregonians value racial diversity and the dimension and depth it adds to our lives, we remain largely isolated from one another and have yet to fulfill the vision of a racially integrated society. Willamette University professor Emily Drew will lead participants in a conversation about the challenges to creating racially diverse, inclusive communities, despite the accomplishments since the civil rights era. What does the racial integration of place require of us, and how might we prepare to create and meet this opportunity?
Understanding Institutional Racism Workshop with Emily Drew, Ph.D
Friday, Feb. 10, 9 am – noon, Room 116, Campus Center
Emily M. Drew is an Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies at Willamette University, where she teaches courses about racism, race and ethnicity, urban sociology, mass media, and social change. Her primary areas of research involve understanding how race and racism operate inside of social institutions, particularly education, media and urban planning. Drew’s work is driven by a long-term commitment to social justice struggles. She has been actively engaged in anti-racism organizing and activism for almost 20 years, and she works to develop and implement long term commitments to anti-racist, multicultural diversity.
Film: Homeland
Wed, Feb. 15, 4 – 6 pm, Hitchcock Auditorium, Pioneer Hall
Nearly all Indian lands in the U.S. face grave environmental threats – toxic waste, strip mining, oil drilling and nuclear contamination. But a handful of activists are fighting back. Filmed against some of America’s most spectacular backdrops, from Alaska to Maine and Montana to New Mexico, Homeland profiles the against-all-odds struggles of Native American leaders who are taking on powerful energy companies and government agencies to protect the environment for all Americans.
Film: Precious Knowledge
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 3 pm and 6:30 pm, Hitchcock Auditorium, Pioneer Hall
Precious Knowledge interweaves the transformative stories of seniors in the Mexican American Studies Program at Tucson High School. Inequalities in education continue to affect people of color. The ticking time bomb story of our time is that fewer than six in 10 Latino adults in the United States have a high school diploma. Precious Knowledge will illustrate to a nationwide audience a Mexican American Studies program that inspires 82% of its students to enroll in college.
An Inconvenient Patriot
An evening celebrating the life and work of Pete Seeger
Thursday, Feb. 23, 7 pm, Wille Hall, Campus Center
Join COCC's faculty in an evening of song, some narrative segments, and a "replay" of Pete's Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) testimony as we honor the many contributions of activist and musician Pete Seeger. Hosted by Professor Jim Stedman
Why Aren’t There More Black People in Oregon?: A Hidden History
Monday, Feb. 27, 6:30 pm, Wille Hall, Campus Center
Have you ever wondered why the Black population in Oregon is so small? Oregon has a history not only of Black exclusion and discrimination, but also of a vibrant Black culture that helped sustain many communities throughout the state—a history that is not taught in schools. Portland State University adjunct professor Walidah Imarisha will lead participants through an interactive timeline of Black history in Oregon and will also discuss how history, politics, and culture have shaped—and will continue to shape—the landscape for Black Oregonians.
Film: Miss Representation
Thursday, March 1, 5 - 6:30 pm, 107 Cascades Hall, OSU Cascades
The film explores how the media’s misrepresentation of women has led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence. Join Professor Elizabeth Daniels for a discussion after the film.
Other February Events
Celebrate African American History Month
Wednesday, February 15, 1:30 – 2:30 pm, Multicultural Center, Campus Center
Come and learn more about African Americans who made a difference in our country!
Native American Film Series: Dance Me Outside
Thursday, February 23, 5 – 7 pm, Madras Campus
This film is a touching story about an awkward passage into manhood and the unpunished murder of a Native girl by a white thug. This sets off a series of events culminating in redemptive acts of love and honor.
Black Student Union Potluck
Monday, February 27, 2:30 – 4:30 pm, Wille Hall, Campus Center
Come and enjoy traditional African American cuisine!
Conversations on Books and Cultures: Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou
Wednesday, February 29 at 1:30 pm, Multicultural Center, Campus Center
In this compilation of essays, Maya Angelou shares her words of wisdom for living a life full of meaning. Book discussion facilitated by Professor Tina Redd
Spanish Film Night: Film TBD
Wednesday, February 29 at 6 pm, Boyle 155
February Cultural Holidays and Celebrations
February is African American History Month – Dr. Carter Woodson first launched “Negro History Week” in 1926. He chose February because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly impacted the American Black experience: Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. This month recognizes the contributions of Black Americans.
February 1 – National Freedom Day, commemorates the 1865 abolition of slavery.
February 2 – Imbolc, pagan holiday honoring the beginning of the return of the light in the Northern Hemisphere signaling the first glimpses of spring. In the British Isles, Bridget, a Celtic Goddess, would visit and bless homes. If the sun was seen on this day, winter was over, but if the sun was hidden behind clouds, winter was still to come. http://www.tricityvoice.com/articledisplay.php?a=2187
February 2 – Groundhogs Day. The legend goes that if the ground hog comes out of his hibernation and sees his shadow, then there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, there will be an early spring.
February 2 – Candlemas, Christians celebrate the presentation of the baby Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem 40 days after his birth.
February 3 – The 15th Amendment, ratified by congress in 1870, gave African Americans the right to vote. This is also the birthday of Rosa Parks, 1913 – 2005.
February 3 – Setsubun-sai - This holiday, celebrated among the Shinto of Japan, is a good luck festival. Commonly known as "O-mame-maki," Setsubun-sai is the bean throwing festival and is a very popular New Year's ritual. It marks the end of the coldest season, "Kan," and celebrates the coming of spring while throwing beans to keep demons away. Shouts of "Devils out, Good fortune in" are part of the long-standing ritual. http://www.tricityvoice.com/articledisplay.php?a=2187
February 4 – Eid-Maulad-un-Nabi honors the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. It is observed differently in the various Muslim countries for 9 days, with colorful fairs, parades, and feasting.
February 7 – Lantern Festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations in China and Taiwan.
February 8 – The Dawes Act of 1855 promised Indians 160 acres in reparation for the land they lost to settlers. Unfortunately, much of the land intended for tribes was given away or sold to White settlers.
February 8 – Tu B’Shevat celebrates Judaism’s roots in the natural world. It is known as the New Year for Trees. Special meals include eating the 7 fruits of the land – wheat, barley, figs, grapes, pomegranates, olives, and dates. Trees are also planted.
February 8 – Basant Panchami, Hindus of Northern India celebrate the approach of spring and yellow clothes are worn. Even the food is yellow from using saffron. This festival honors Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, Wisdom, and the Creative arts.
February 8 – Parinirvana or Nirvana Day is a time for contemplation of the Buddha’s teachings. Some monasteries and temples hold meditation retreats. Others open their doors to laypeople, who bring gifts of money and household goods to support monks and nuns. http://buddhism.about.com/od/buddhistholidays/a/nirvanaday.htm
February 10 – “Repatriation” of Mexicans back to Mexico started in Los Angeles. Mexican American U.S. citizens were offered money to “go back home” in 1930.
February 12 – The NAACP was founded in 1909. In 1926, Negro History Week was initiated by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. This later became the foundation for African American History Month in February.
February 14 – St. Valentine’s Day. One version of the history of the holiday is that a priest named Valentine was martyred on this date in 269 A.D. for secretly marrying couples against the orders of the Roman emperor, Claudius II.
February 15 – Susan B. Anthony Day, American women’s suffrage advocate, was born in 1820.
February 19 – Executive Order 9066 ordered placement of 120,000 persons of Japanese heritage into concentration camps in 1942.
February 20 – Shivratri commemorates Lord Shiva’s night. This Hindu deity performs the Tandav, the cosmic dance of creation and destruction. A 24 hour fast is observed and devotees make pilgrimages to major shrines for worship.
February 21 – Birth of Malcolm X, civil rights leader.
February 20 – President’s Day is observed honoring the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.
February 21 - Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent. Taken from the old word “shrive,” it means forgiveness, and traditionally it was a time to give up meat and dairy foods. In England, this day is celebrated by making pancakes to use up the supplies of eggs, milk, butter and other fats before Lent. In French, this day is known as Mardi Gras, which means Fat Tuesday.
February 21 - Carnaval Parade in Brazil, a two-day celebration before Ash Wednesday.
February 22 - Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Ash symbolizes sorrow for wrong doings and the foreheads of churchgoers are marked with the shape of the cross with ashes as a sign of penitence.
February 22 – Losar is celebrated as the Tibetan New Year for three days by visiting, feasting and the relaxation of the monastic discipline.
February 26 – March 1 – Intercalary Days or Ayyam-i-ha, “Days of Ha,” are devoted to spiritual preparation for the Fast, celebrating, hospitality, charity and gift giving. They are celebrated the four days (five in leap year) before the last month of the Baha’i year. http://www.bahai.us/bahai-calendar
February 28 – This date marks the anniversary of the beginning of a ten-week occupation of Wounded Knee by the American Indian Movement to draw attention to Indian issues, 1973.
February 29 – Leap Year!
Some holiday information comes from the calendar available at: The Multicultural Calendar 2012.