The week-long event invites students, staff, faculty, and community members to participate in a variety of workshops, panels, and discussions about the complexities of race.
“This year’s theme invites participants to engage with stories that reveal the impact of racism and other forms of oppression, while also celebrating resilience and resistance,” says Social Justice, Equity, & Inclusion Center Coordinator Frank Herrera. “It serves as a platform for reclaiming cultural histories, lived experiences, and identities, encouraging dialogue that leads to positive change. Through interactive sessions, workshops, and presentations, CDOR aims to cultivate spaces where the community can reflect on past and present injustices, address present challenges, and envision a more equitable future.”
Feature events include a keynote by Assistant Professor in the Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota and member of the Navajo Nation, Melanie K. Yazzie, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 1-2:30 p.m. in BSS 162. Keynote events will also include film screenings of “36 Seconds: Portrait of a Hate Crime” on Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. —2:30 p.m. in BSS 162, and “1948: Creation and Catastrophe,” on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 2:30, also in BSS 162. Discussions led by the films’ directors and producers—Andy Trimlett and Ahlam Muhtaseb—will follow.
The CDOR begins on Monday with the "Phoenix of Gaza XR Project," a virtual reality exhibit offering a before and after view of life in the Gaza Strip amidst the ongoing war, highlighting the resilience, cultural heritage, and diverse experiences of its people. The week's schedule features healing through movement; workshops that explore the intersections of music, ethics, and social justice; anti-racism discussions; and free in-person presentations and clinics on immigration legal services for students, staff, and faculty, provided by The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. CDOR concludes with a vibrant Diwali Festival of Lights celebration at the Jolly Giant Commons on Friday, Oct. 25, from 5-8 p.m., showcasing the richness of cultural traditions
Launched in 1998, the CDCR was inspired by President Bill Clinton’s Initiative on Race. Clinton, who recognized that the country was becoming more diverse, challenged communities including universities to facilitate dialogues and create safe spaces to hold critical forums on race.
For more information including a calendar of events, visit humboldt.edu/campus-dialogue-on-race.