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February 2013 E-News from Multicultural Activities
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 kroth1@cocc.edu or call 541-383-7412.
Programs and Events
Cultural Student Club meetings in the Multicultural Center:
Latino Club, Tuesdays,12:15 - 1:15pm
First Nations Student Union, Wednesdays, 11 - Noon
Black Student Union, Fridays, Noon - 1pm
Spanish Conversation Group
Every Monday, 11:30 – 12:30 pm, in Campus Center room 116
This conversation group is open to anyone willing to try and converse in Spanish.
The Season of Nonviolence honoring the legacies of King, Gandhi, Chavez, 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..
Arun Gandhi : Nonviolence and Social Justice: Lessons I learned from my Grandfather
Wednesday, February 20, 6:30 pm, Wille Hall, Campus Center, COCC Bend Campus
When Arun Gandhi was twelve years old, he went to live with his grandfather, Mahatma Gandhi. Arun shares the simple, yet powerful, lessons that Mahatma taught him; lessons that made him aware of the depth and breadth of the philosophy of nonviolence and how we can become the change we wish to see in the world. Free -- donations at the door appreciated.
Private reception to follow presentation - $25. Please contact Karen Aylward at 541-383-7257 for details and to register. Students can win an opportunity to attend this private reception with Arun Gandhi for free by participating in a writing contest. Write a short essay of 200 words or less that addresses the topic, “ Why meeting Arun Gandhi would be meaningful to me.” Up to 10 students will be selected to attend the reception. Submit the essay to Karen Roth, Director of Multicultural Activities, 216 Campus Center or kroth1@cocc.edu by February 10.
Hunger Banquet
Tuesday, February 26, noon – 1 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.
Debating Fairly: Civility, Disagreement, and Democracy: A Conversation with Prakash Chenjeri and Daniel Morris
Wednesday, Feb. 27, 6:30 pm, Wille Hall, Campus Center
Healthy debate and disagreement are at the heart of a vibrant democracy. Yet contemporary culture seems to be marked by increasing incivility. If civility defines the standard of behavior expected in human interaction, how can we promote a greater respect for one another? Southern Oregon University professors Daniel Morris and Prakash Chenjeri will facilitate a conversation exploring what it means to be civil and to examine the related ideas of civil society, civic life, and citizenship. Join us for this Conversation Project of Oregon Humanities. Free and open to the public.
Portraits of Courage Performance: Native Voices
Tuesday, March 5, 3 – 5 pm, Hitchcock Auditorium, 201 Pioneer Hall
A series of two-person shows depicting historical Native Americans who have made an impact on our society.
Other February Events
Celebrate African American History Month
Film Viewing: Django Unchained, Friday Feb. 8, matinee at Old Mill Theaters
The Black Student Union and other clubs will be seeing the film Django Unchained. The BSU will then hold an informal discussion regarding the film. Date and time of discussion to be announced. Contact Gordon Price at gprice@cocc.edu or 541-383-7592.
Black History Month Project, Monday, Feb. 25, 10am - 2 pm Wille Hall
Come read and hear the stories of important inventors in Black History. There will be historical information, guest speakers and multimedia presentations. And great food!
Lunar New Year Celebration
Tuesday, February 12, 11 – 1 pm, Campus Center
Come and celebrate the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake, with Lion Dances, information on Chinese New Year, games and activities, and a Chinese-themed lunch for purchase at the Campus Center.
February Conversations About Books and Culture: What’s Going On by Nathan McCall
Discussion facilitated by Gordon Price, Director of Student Life, on February 28, noon – 1pm, Multicultural Center
With the same personal authority and exhilarating directness he brought to his account of his passage from a prison cell to the newsroom of The Washington Post, Nathan McCall delivers a series of front-line reports on the state of the races in today's America. The resulting volume is guaranteed to shake the assumptions of readers of every pigmentation and political allegiance.
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, signals the first glimpse 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 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 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 – 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 - Lunar New Year, is one of the most important celebrations in several Asian countries. It is a three day celebration in China and Hong Kong; the Vietnamese call it the “Tet” Festival. This year is the Year of the Snake. The Chinese clean and decorate their homes with the five lucky signs of happiness. Celebrations include music, dancing, and parades featuring lion and dragon dances.
February 10 – 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 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 10 – Sonal – This is the biggest event of the year in Korea to pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming year.
February 11 – Losar, the Tibetan New Year. It is celebrated for three days by visiting family and feasting.
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 12 - 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. In Brazil, Carnaval is a two day celebration and parade.
February 13 - 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 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 14: Great Prayer Festival. In Tibet, monks from the Three Great monasteries of Tibet assemble to pray.
February 15 – Susan B. Anthony Day, American women’s suffrage advocate, was born in 1820.
February 15 – Basant Panchami, a Hindu festival that heralds the approach of spring and honors Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, Wisdom, and the Creative Arts.
February 18 – President’s Day is observed honoring the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.
February 18 – Louis Riel Day honoring the famous Metis leader who in 1885 led a rebellion and lost against the Canadian authorities because he feared more Metis land would be taken away by the settlers. Today his name is a symbol for Native independence.
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 24 - Purim, the Jewish festival known as the Feasts of Lots, celebrates the deliverance of Jews from extermination in Persia. Jews dress in costume and give gifts of food to each other. It is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar.
February 25 – Lantern Festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations in China and Taiwan.
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.
Some holiday information comes from the calendar obtained at: www.multiculturalcalendar.com.
COCC Multicultural Center Web Site
For current information about COCC, please visit the COCC Multicultural Center Web Site.
Contact Us
If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, please contact Karen Roth, Director of Multicultural Activities at COCC, 383-7412 or kroth1@cocc.edu.
Central Oregon Community College
2600 N.W. College Way
Bend, Oregon 97701
(541)-383-7700
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