Diversity in Community Forum—2002

“…all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

                        Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. From a Christmas Sermon on Peace, 1967

As we celebrate the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., let us use his model for embracing diversity within our world and our own community during this time of national healing.

The Diversity in CommUNITY Forum is a partnership sponsored by the Northeastern State University International Speakers Series, The Mission & Service Team of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) and Members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Tahlequah (UUCT).

The Keynote Speaker is Dr. Ricardo Ainslie, Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Ainslie is a noted author, contributing editorial consultant to national publications, and a documentary film producer. He will discuss what happens to individuals when a nation or community is threatened by conflict and how they respond.

Schedule of Events

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ricardo Ainslie

(Free & Open to the Public)

Friday, January 25, 2002

NSU NET Auditorium—10 a.m.

Unitarian Universalist Church—7 p.m.

Workshops and Forum

(Free & Open to the Public)

Saturday, January 26, 2002

First United Methodist Church

9 a.m.              Opening Remarks

9:15 to 11:30  Concurrent Workshops (See Below)

11:30 to 12:30Forum—Participant Comments & Reflections

12:30 to 1:30  Light Lunch for $2

Workshop Descriptions

Choose any 3 workshops in any order. All workshops, which run concurrently, begin at 9:15 and repeat at 10 and 10:45.

What is Islam?

Dr. Ziad Sous, Islamic Society of Tulsa

We may be surprised to learn what Islam is and isn’t.

Do the radical groups really represent all of Islam?

An Academic’s Approach to World Religions

Rev. Kevin Clayton and Dr. David Linebarger

What are the central beliefs of different world religions?

How are those beliefs being taught today in America?

Disarming Hostile Language

Dr. Paul Westbrook

A discussion of techniques & strategies for responding to hostile language in ways which reduce tension.

Thinking Like a Global Citizen

Rev. Cassandra Martin

Recent events have made us more aware of the need to think globally. What can we do to bring about peaceful resolution in the new century?

Teaching the ‘T’ Word

Kathleen Kearns, Educator

‘T’ stands for tolerance. What does it really mean, and how can we prepare our children to become tolerant adults?

Can We Forgive?

Linda Davies, MSW

Participants will explore the concept of forgiveness through guided imagery. Art will be used to ground the experience.

We will reconvene in Fellowship Hall to share our experiences at 11:30. A light lunch at $2 per person will be served from 12:30 to 1:30.

Planning Committee

James Alexander, Ph.D.

Political Science Department, NSU

Jane Bond

FUMC Mission & Service Team

Sara N. Brown, Ph.D.

            Social Work Department, NSU

Alicia B. Casas-Celaya, Ph.D

            Psychology & Counseling Department, NSU

Linda Davies, MSW

            Social Work Department, NSU

Kathleen Kearns, M.Ed.

            Third Grade Teacher, Muskogee Public Schools

David Linebarger, Ph.D.

            Humanities Department, NSU

Rev. Cassandra Martin

            One Heart Retreat

Rev. Thea Nietfeld

            Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Rev. John Price

            First United Methodist Church

Janet Stucky

            Chair, FUMC Mission & Service Team

Don Stucky, M.D.

            W. W. Hastings Indian Hospital

Paul Westbrook, Ph.D.

            Assistant Dean, NSU College of arts & Letters

            Chair, Communication & Theatre Department, NSU