DATE/TIME: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 12:00 – 1:0 p.m.
LOCATION: Ellis Library Colonnade
FACILITATORS:  Noor Azizan-Gardner of the Chancellor’s Diversity Initiative and Nathan Stephens of the MU Black Culture Center

DESCRIPTION: A facilitated discussion about the library experience of African-American undergrads. The students will discuss their childhood associations (both cultural and educational) with public and school libraries through their experiences in and with the MU Libraries. Release time is available with supervisor approval.

The following activities will take place in Ellis Library during the month of February. Release time is available for library employees for the two events which take place in the Colonnade area.

TITLE: Crossover Pioneer and Godmother of Rock-n-Roll: Sister Rosetta Tharpe
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Ellis Library Auditorium
PRESENTER: Dr. Michael Budds, Professor of Musicology, MU School of Music

DESCRIPTION: In this multi-media presentation, musicologist Dr. Michael Budds lectures on the life and music of Rock-n-Roll pioneer, Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The Arkansas native, armed with an electric guitar and soulful voice, left her distinctive mark on gospel, blues, rock-n-roll, and jazz and had been mentioned as an influence by iconic American musicians such as Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Bob Dylan. In this presentation, Dr. Budds presents Tharpe in all her glory, and reminds music lovers of her deep impact on American music.

TITLE: Student Experience Panel Discussion
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 12:00 – 1:0 p.m.
LOCATION: Ellis Library Colonnade
FACILITATORS:  Noor Azizan-Gardner of the Chancellor’s Diversity Initiative and Nathan Stephens of the MU Black Culture Center

DESCRIPTION: A facilitated discussion about the library experience of African-American undergrads. The students will discuss their childhood associations (both cultural and educational) with public and school libraries through their experiences in and with the MU Libraries.

TITLE: Four Women: A Conversation about Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Camilla Williams, and Mary J. Blige.
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Ellis Library Colonnade
PRESENTER: Dr. Maya Gibson, Assistant Professor, MU School of Music; Dr. Treva Lindsey, Assistant Professor, MU Women and Gender Studies, and Dr .Stephanie Shonekan, Assistant Professor, MU School of Music

DESCRIPTION: Nina Simone’s iconic 1966 song “Four Women” brilliantly highlights the roles that have defined (and confined) black women in the United States. Simone herself was an artist that broke through the boundaries of these stereotypes to create her own way, to define her own terms, and to ultimately establish herself as a distinctive voice in American music and culture. Reflecting on this legacy, three scholars discuss the lives and work of three black female musicians: jazz vocalist Billie Holiday, opera diva Camilla Williams, and queen of hip-hop Mary J. Blige. The discussion will explore the contributions of these artists on the history of American music and culture.

Black History Month is Feb. 1 – Feb. 29, 2012. This year’s theme is “Black Women in History and Culture.” A schedule of events is available at 2012 Schedule of Events (pdf).

The commemoration of African Americans and their historical to present-day involvement and cultural contributions in our society are recognized in the United States annually during the month of February.  The University of Missouri offers programming for everyone through many departments, organizations and individuals as part of this national tribute to the unique African American experience. Some of the many MU activities include dialogues, presentations, movies, and workshops. Additional information about Black History Month in the United States can be found through the Library of Congress sponsored African American History Month website. Explore Black Women in History and Culture this month at MU.

You can get involved too! Contact the Black Studies Program at blackstudies@missouri.edu to learn more about Black History Month programming at MU. You are also invited to stop by the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center anytime to explore additional opportunities for involvement.

The Diversity Action Committee invites you to a presentation in conjunction with November’s theme of Native American Heritage Month. Dr. Dennis Kelley, Assistant Professor with the Department of Religious Studies, returns and brings a different topic (see below). Dr. Kelley’s biographical information can be reviewed at http://religiousstudies.missouri.edu/people/kelley.html.

The presentation will take place Thursday, Nov. 10, from 11-12, room 4G41 Ellis Library. Release time is available with supervisor approval. RSPV’s are not required.

Leo

—————–

Topic:

“The Oral Tradition as Text, History as Myth: Columbus, Thanksgiving, and the Meaning of American Indians”

This talk will explore the relationship between Native and Non-native America in terms of making meaning. Using America’s origin myths, the Columbian event and the Mayflower Colony, we will explore what meaning we as a society make out of the aboriginal inhabitants of this continent, and the use of that meaning in contemporary literary forms, both Native and non-Native.

The Diversity Action Committee invites you to a presentation in conjunction with November’s theme of Native American Heritage Month. Dr. Dennis Kelley, Assistant Professor with the Department of Religious Studies, returns and brings a different topic (see below). Dr. Kelley’s biographical information can be reviewed at http://religiousstudies.missouri.edu/people/kelley.html.

The presentation will take place Thursday, Nov. 10, from 11-12, room 4G41 Ellis Library. Release time is available with supervisor approval. RSPV’s are not required.

Leo

—————–

Topic:

“The Oral Tradition as Text, History as Myth: Columbus, Thanksgiving, and the Meaning of American Indians”

This talk will explore the relationship between Native and Non-native America in terms of making meaning. Using America’s origin myths, the Columbian event and the Mayflower Colony, we will explore what meaning we as a society make out of the aboriginal inhabitants of this continent, and the use of that meaning in contemporary literary forms, both Native and non-Native.

Time: 2:00. – 3:00 p.m.
Place: 4F51-A Ellis Library
Presenter: Dr. Justin B. Dyer

As part of Banned Books month, the Diversity Action Committee is sponsoring a lecture by Dr. Justin B. Dyer, Assistant Professor, Political Sciences, on the freedom of speech, the First Amendment, and controversy over banned books. Briefly, his talking points will include:

-The First Amendment provides that Congress shall make no law “abridging the freedom of speech”
-This brings up the questions: What is “the freedom of speech”? Why do we have it?
-How has this applied to the issue of banned books?
-Example 1: In the Smith Act (1940), Congress prohibited printing or publishing anything that advocated the overthrow of the government. After WWII, several Supreme Court cases considered whether books like the Communist Manifesto were banned by the Smith Act and whether the Smith Act was constitutional.
-Example 2: Other cases took up the issue of whether “obscene” material (such as the D.H. Lawrence’s novel Lady Chatterley’s Lover) was protected by the First Amendment.
-Conclusion: Overview of the Supreme Court’s current approach to obscenity and revolutionary literature, and a reflection on the history of banned books.

Release time is available with supervisor approval. An Outlook meeting notice will be sent to all library employees within the next few days.

Time: 2:00. – 3:00 p.m.
Place: 4F51-A Ellis Library
Presenter: Dr. Justin B. Dyer

As part of Banned Books month, the Diversity Action Committee is sponsoring a lecture by Dr. Justin B. Dyer, Assistant Professor, Political Sciences, on the freedom of speech, the First Amendment, and controversy over banned books. Briefly, his talking points will include:

-The First Amendment provides that Congress shall make no law “abridging the freedom of speech”
-This brings up the questions: What is “the freedom of speech”? Why do we have it?
-How has this applied to the issue of banned books?
-Example 1: In the Smith Act (1940), Congress prohibited printing or publishing anything that advocated the overthrow of the government. After WWII, several Supreme Court cases considered whether books like the Communist Manifesto were banned by the Smith Act and whether the Smith Act was constitutional.
-Example 2: Other cases took up the issue of whether “obscene” material (such as the D.H. Lawrence’s novel Lady Chatterley’s Lover) was protected by the First Amendment.
-Conclusion: Overview of the Supreme Court’s current approach to obscenity and revolutionary literature, and a reflection on the history of banned books.

Release time is available with supervisor approval. An Outlook meeting notice will be sent to all library employees within the next few days.

Banned Books Week – Celebrating the Freedom to Read – is observed during the last week of September each year.  Observed since 1982, the annual event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. For 2011, Banned Books Week observation will kick off Sept. 29 with the east and west display cases featuring books held by the MU Libraries which have been banned or challenged. The display will be updated weekly throughout October in order to feature additional books.

In addition, we hope to sponsor a speaker during October; details are being worked out. Other Banned Book-related activities include:
1) Provide pamphlets at public service desks with information on Banned Books Week.
2) Sponsor an information link on the library’s main web page to promote the Week to patrons.
3) Sponsor an information link on the library’s other e-resources, Twitter, Facebook.

Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the American Library Association(ALA), the Association of American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the National Association of College Stores. The Library of Congress Center for the Book endorses it.

To learn more about Banned Books Week, see the following links:

The difference between a banned and a challenged book:

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/aboutbannedbooks/index.cfm.

Statistics on the number of book challenges over time: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengesbytype/index.cfm.

Banned and Challenged Classics: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics/index.cfm.

Library Bill of Rights: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/index.cfm.

The Diversity Action Committee wishes to share information on a picnic open to the University community and sponsored by the Hispanic-Latin American Faculty & Staff Association of MU.

 

Date: 10 August 2011
Time: 12-1pm
Location: 4F51-A Ellis Library

MU Libraries Diversity Action Committee Book Discussion – Zeitoun, by Dave Eggers (the Mizzou Reads Program selection for 2011)

The Mizzou Reads book selection for summer 2011 is Zeitoun, by Dave Eggers.  A brown bag discussion about this book will be held on August 10 in Ellis Library for any interested library staff.  The discussion will be moderated by a facilitator from Student Life, with a focus on diversity issues.

Mizzou Reads is a program sponsored by Student Life at Mizzou.  All incoming freshmen are asked to read the same book before they arrive on campus for fall semester.  Students participate in small group discussions about the book during Fall Welcome on August 18.  The discussions are a way to foster community among the new students.

This program is now in its 8^th year and Student Life considers it a success.  For more information on this program, visit http://bit.ly/pLP7Np.

While staff do not generally participate in the Mizzou Reads program with the incoming freshmen, the MU Libraries Diversity Action Committee thought that this book would provide a good discussion for interested library staff, especially on the topic of diversity issues.

Zeitoun was published in 2009 and tells the story of a Syrian-American man and his family living in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The events take place before, during, and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  Here is a link to the book on WorldCat: http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/332257182.  The book is also discounted at the MU Bookstore.

Attendance to the book discussion is voluntary and open to all library employees, per supervisor approval.  RSVPs are requested for head count purposes only.

DAC also intends to do a book discussion for the Columbia One Read book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot.  This will be held in September at the same time as other area One Read events.  For more information about this program, visit http://oneread.dbrl.org/.

Abbie Brown