"Confronting Racism"
Wednesday, 10/16/2019 from 3 p.m. to 10/25/2019 at 1 p.m.
Wille Hall and Cascades Hall
Campus events confront racism, white nationalism
“Confronting Racism” is the theme of a series of events being held at COCC during
the month of October, with a panel discussion, a presentation and a film all part
of the lineup. These events are free and open to the public.
A panel discussion that will examine recent white nationalist incidents, the impact
of these incidents on local students, as well as a look at “doublethink” in American
society, is scheduled for Wednesday, October 16, 3-4:30 p.m., at COCC’s Wille Hall.
“Doublethink is a concept created by George Orwell to explain the central mechanism
of authoritarianism,” explained local artist Isaac Peterson, one of three presenters
on the panel. “It is the ability to believe two ideas that are in direct conflict
with one another without resolving them. This talk will look at a select history of
American doublethink and how it is used in regards to race and the Charlottesville
authoritarian and counter-protest movements.” The other presenters are Murray Godfrey,
assistant professor of history at COCC, and Kelsey Freeman, the college’s Native American
college prep coordinator. Refreshments provided by Kebaba. Sponsored by the COCC Jewish
Students Club.
Immediately following the panel discussion, the college’s Afrocentric Club will be
holding a screening of a film titled “I Am Not Your Negro,” from 5-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday,
October 16, also in Wille Hall.
Then, on Friday, October 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Linda Heidenreich, Ph.D., associate
professor of history at Washington State University, will present “Decolonial Pedagogy,”
a seminar on eliminating bias in curriculum design and how educators can “decolonize”
their classroom. Cascades Hall, Room 117.
For information on any of these events, contact Patricia Givens, COCC’s interlibrary
loan coordinator, at 541-383-7561. In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation
or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola:
541-383-7775. For accommodation because of other disability, such as hearing impairment,
contact the Office of Disability Services: 541-383-7743.