Diversity in Community II—2003

Waging Peace

“If we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective.”

“…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.

Presented as part of the annual Northeastern State University Martin Luther King, Jr. “Making a Difference Week,” this culminating two-day event is sponsored by First Christian Church, First United Methodist Church, Light of Christ Community Church, St. Basil’s Episcopal Church, St. Brigid Catholic Church, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, and the NSU International Speakers Series.

Keynote Speaker, Kelvin Datcher, is the Outreach Coordinator for Tolerance.org, a web project of the Southern Poverty Law Center. He travels the country as an ambassador for the organization and encourages people from all walks of life to fight hate and promote tolerance.

Schedule of Events

Keynote: Kevin Datcher—The State of Hate in America and Ten Ways to Fight It.

(Free & Open to the Public)

Friday, January 24, 2003

First United Methodist Church.

6:30 p.m. to 7 Gathering Music by Good Comp’ny

7:00 p.m         Keynote Speaker

Workshops and Forum

(Free & Open to the Public)

Saturday, January 25, 2003

St. Bridgid Catholic Church Activities Building

8 a.m. to 8:30  Registration and Coffee

8:30 to 9         Opening Remarks & Introductions

9 to 12:30       Concurrent Workshops (See Below)

12:30 to 1:30  Forum with workshop presenters--Lunch

Workshop Descriptions

Select three workshops in any order (Except those with *). Workshops, which run concurrently, begin at 9 a.m. and repeat at 10:10 and 11:20.

Our World Since 11 September 2001

Dr. Don Betz, Provost and Vice president for Academic Affairs and Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Dr. Betz is welcomed back to Tahlequah, his home for 23 years, where he served as the NSU Vice President of University Relations and Professor of Political Science. Since 1982 Dr. Betz has worked for and with the United Nations and has played a key role in international affairs. He will discuss changes in international relations since 11 September 2001. Dr. Betz will review world politics in general with a final focus on the impending conflict with Iraq and its possible consequences.

Understanding Across Distances, Countries, and Cultures (*Offered only at 10:10)

Dr. Zulma Xenia Barrios, Vice President for Women and Diversity Leadership, Gallup University

A native of El Salvador, Dr. Barrios worked in the international sphere of the insurance industry for 27 years where she earned many awards of excellence. In 1994 she was recruited as vice president for Gallup University where she is dedicated to helping individuals identify and develop their leadership talents for the benefit of their companies, organizations, and communities. Dr. Barrios has been visiting Hispanic communities across her home state of Nebraska. She brings observations and stories from this current project, along with her conviction that before we can get to peace we need to connect through conversation.

Dialog with Keynote Speaker Kelvin Datcher (*Offered only at 9 and 11:20)

Kelvin Datcher, Outreach Coordinator for Tolerance.org.

Participants are invited to share their questions and comments with Kelvin Datcher.

Working for a Sustainable Peace Economy

Nathaniel Batchelder, Director of the Peace House in Oklahoma City

As director of the Peace House, Batchelder works full time as an activist and advocate for human rights, economic justice, and environmental sustainability. Batchelder will offer strategies for individuals and groups at the local level to feel empowered through becoming active in community and political affairs. He will demonstrate how Americans can participate in developing an economy in the United States and around the world that better serves humanity and the environment.

Race, Ethnicity and ‘Indian Cards’: Apartheid in America

Local Attorney Diane Hammons, Anthropologist Wyman Kirk, and Cherokee Traditionalist David Teehee

Various views of what it means to be a Cherokee in the 21^st Century will be discussed. The conversation promises to challenge your thinking about race and about American Indians. Bring an open mind, but leave the stereotypes at home.

Anti-Bullying Strategies for Parents, Communities and Schools

Middle School Safety and Prevention Coordinators Fred Poteete (Tahlequah Junior High) and Robert Johnson (Grandview and Shady Grove Schools).

Now in their second year of coordinating a federally funded school program on anti-bullying strategies, the workshop presenters will review the school curriculum for prevention and intervention and engage participants in activities that teach tolerance, understanding, and non-violent behavior.

Round Table Discussions

Facilitated by Rev. Cassandra Martin, Joan Isom, Dr. Michele Bither, Gloria Brewster, and Tom Lewis.

Participants will address public concerns, share their opinions, and experience seeking a common ground of understanding. In an effort to focus on “Waging Peace,” citizens are given the opportunity to weigh in on the threat of global conflict. Facilitators promise to compile the unbiased results to these discussions and share them with local and national leaders. Don’t miss your chance to speak up!

Lunch Provided: Donations Welcome

Sound System Provided by John T. Martin, Dancing Eagle Music

Planning Committee

Linda Alegria, MSW

            Social Work Department, NSU

James Alexander, Ph.D.

Political Science Department, NSU

Earl Anderson, Ph.D.

            Retired Teacher

Michele Bither, O.D.

            College of Optometry, NSU

Dudley Brown and Sara N. Brown, Ph.D.

            Retired Teachers

Craig Clifford, Ph.D.

            Dean, College of Math, Science and Nursing, NSU

Irene Davies

            Student, NSU

Joan Isom, M.F.A

            Writer, Illustrator, Editor

Kathleen Kearns, M.Ed.

            Third Grad Teacher, Muskogee Public Schools

Sally and Tom Lewis

            Small Business Owners

David Linebarger, Ph.D.

            Humanities Department, NSU

Rev. Cassandra Martin

            One Heart Retreat

Rev. Kathleen F. Murray

            St. Basil’s Episcopal Church

Rev. Thea Nietfeld

            Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Rev. Carol E. Parrish-Harra

            Light of Christ Community Church & Sophia Seminary

Rev. Nancy Pittman

            First Christian Church

Rev. John Price and Ginny Hathaway

            First United Methodist Church

Jan Smith-Clayton, M.A.

            Assistant to the Dean of Student Affairs, NSU

Janet Stucky

            First United Methodist Church Mission & Service Team