Social Sciences department presents Race, Ethnicity and Identity Conference

Grand Rapids Community College will be hosting its Race, Ethnicity and Identity Conference, inviting speakers from across the region and country to speak on a wide range of issues. Events occur March 25 – 28 in room 108 of Sneden Hall, located at 433 E. Fulton in Grand Rapids. All events are free and open to the public.

Monday, March 25

11:15 a.m.- 12:45 p.m.: “Equality and Justice: A Normative Perspective,” presented by Gordan Vurusic, assistant professor of political science at GRCC

2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.: “Latino Voting in the 2012 Election,” by Heather Forrest, assistant professor of political science at GRCC

7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.: “Identity, Tourism, and Racialization in New Orlean’s Jackson Square,” by Rebecca Sheehan of Oklahoma State University (GTU Visiting Speaker)

Tuesday, March 26th

2:45 p.m.- 5 p.m.: “Standing in the Shadows of Motown,” a film following the story of prolific studio artists the Funk Brothers through the 1960s.

7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.: “Patriotism and its Effects on Public Opinion on Foreign Policy: Comparing the Cases of the USA and Ireland,” by Karen Devine of Dublin City University (a visiting Fullbright Scholar Speaker – Columbia University)

Wednesday, March 27

10:45 p.m.- 12:15 p.m.: “Confronting Mechanisms of Control,” by Robert Hendershot, assistant professor of history at GRCC, exploring the effects of race, gender and religion in colonial Mexico

2 p.m.- 4 p.m.: “Hispanic Education in Western Michigan,” a roundtable discussion led by local Hispanic and educational leaders: Tony Baker of Ferris State University and Grand Rapids Public Schools Board member; Rosa Fraga, principal of San Juan Diego Academy; John Matias of Burton Elementary and Middle School; and Martha Gonzalez-Cortes, CEO of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan. The moderators will be GRCC students Alyson Mabie and Heather Pribble.

Thursday, March 28

1 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.: “Invisible Walls: Race, Ethnicity and Social Boundaries in the City of Grand Rapids,” presented by Dillon Carr, assistant professor of anthropology at GRCC

7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.: “The Color of Christ: The Son of God and the Saga of Race in America,” presented by keynote speaker Edward Blum of San Diego State University