Diversity in Community III—2004

Beyond Fear

“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 celebraye 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 three-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, NSU John Vaughan Library and the NSU International Speakers Series.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, January 22, 2004—Bowling for Columbine film and discussion

NSU Net Auditorium

6:30 p.m.          Facilitated by Dr. Paul Westbrook

Friday, January 23, 2004—Keynote Speaker

First United Methodist Church.

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

7:00 p.m           Speaker

 (Free & Open to the Public)

Saturday, January 24, 2004—Workshops and Forum

First Presbyterian Church, 315 E. Shawnee St., Tahlequah, OK

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    Lunch

Description of Events

Keynote: Rev. Howard Plowman—Reaching Beyond Fear in America.

(Free & Open to the Public)

Rev. Howard Plowman presented a speech on the Reaching Beyond Fear in America. Rev. Plowman helped the audience understand the many types of fear that undermine reasonable and responsible action that may separate us from practicing mutual respect for the inherent human dignity of all peoples. There was a question and answer segment following his address.

Rev. Plowman  has over 40 years experience as a Pastor for the United Methodist Church in several Oklahoma communities. He is a popular speaker who continues to serve with distinction on the Tulsa Interfaith Alliance Board of Directors, an organization whose motto is “One Nation, Many Faiths”. Rev. Plowman received an honorary doctorate of divinity from the Oklahoma City University, presented by then governor David Boren in 1977. Re. Plowman also participated in the political arena as a candidate for the U.S. Congress District 1, in 1998.

Workshop Descriptions

Secret Native Traditions by Ryan Mackey.  Native American Traditionalists have been secretive about religion for about 140 years.  Why is it secret?  How is it different?  What are the universalities with other religions?  Guest speaker is First Assistant Chief at Long Valley Kituwah Association Ceremonial Ground.

Ryan Mackey has served as First Assistant Chief at Long Valley Kituwah Association Ceremonial Ground for about one year.  Ryan also works at Cherokee Heritage Center Museum, teaching history and guiding tours for visitors.

Fighting Racism with Tolerance and Diversity by Chad Smith. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith will discuss racism in the context of One Nation, an Oklahoma anti-Indian group that is operating behind the scenes against the 39 Indian tribes of Oklahoma.

Chad Smith is serving his second term as Cherokee Nation Principal Chief, having been elected in 1999.  He is a lawyer, father, steelworker and former professor at Dartmouth College.  His degrees are in Public Administration, Education and Law. 

Effective Community Advocacy 101 by Scott and Sheila Swearingen. Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”  Scott and Sheila Swearingen will explore how the skills of citizenship combined with heart and persistence can put you on the road to changing your community and world for the better.  Come away with a “6 point citizen’s tool kit” checklist.

Scott and Sheila Swearingen are educators and media professionals who have been members of the Tulsa Chapter of RESULTS, advocating for the end of hunger and poverty, for 15 years. They also helped start their neighborhood association.

Making a Difference Presented by groups locally and globally, “Making a Difference” is a chance for not profit organizations in and around our community to have their voices heard and maybe get a large response from those that hear what their program does.

AAUW, CASA, Community Health, Heifer Project, Help-In-Crisis, Hope House, Jack Brown Treatment Center, Job Corps, Kid Connections, Northeastern Oklahoma Community Health Centers, PFLAG, Say No To Hate, Soul Force, and Tahlequah City Hospital.

Restoring Confidence in a Safe School Environment by Phillip Bush and Robert Johnson. They will explore methods to help students fell safe and express their feelings.  Discussion will focus on restoring and maintaining a healthy school climate.

Phillip Bush is currently a vice-principal at Tahlequah Junior High.  In 1999 he was an assistant principal at Ft Gibson Middle School.  He offers a unique perspective that bridges our two communities.

Robert Johnson is the Middle School Safety Coordinator at Grandview and Shady Grove Schools.  He has conducted presentations throughout Oklahoma and at a National Safe Schools Conference in Washington D.C. on successful Anti-bullying campaigns in local area schools.

Handling Heterosexism by Gil Flores. He will be presenting a combination of lecture and interactive participation to educate audience members to issues related to the gay and lesbian community. Participants will learn to identify the dehumanization of homosexuals and its relation to other forms of discrimination. Topics of genetics, psychosocial effects, legal history, and symbolism will be addressed.   Mr. Flores will be happy to take questions.

Gil Flores has a degree in Education and is the Director of Community Center Services for the Resource Center of Dallas.  He is responsible for all activities of the John Thomas Gay & Lesbian Community Center. His presentation on gay and lesbian issues has been certified by the Texas Department of Health as a diversity training for community-based health organizations. 

Common Language of World Religions by Dr. Allen McKiel. He will discuss passages from a selection of the world’s scriptures including Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Confucian, Hindu, Judaic, Moslem, and Taoist under five themes: the unknowable God, the oneness of God, the path to God, the “golden rule”, and the Messengers of God.

Dr. Allen McKiel currently serves as the Director of Libraries for NSU.  He has received a degree in English Literature, a Masters in Library and Information Science, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration.  He is committed to the promotion of cross-cultural understanding particularly with respect to religion.

Demystifying Terrorism by John Martin. We have entered the 21^st century and need a better understanding of the terrorism that threatens us both at home and abroad.  Who are the terrorists?  What motivates them?  Why do they hate us?  The media and politicians have unduly influenced our perception and perpetuated the fear of terrorism.  Learn fact from fiction and how the threat of terrorism affects us.

John Martin is a retired Navy Chief and Exercise Planner at the National Homeland Security Training Center.  He is a master bomb disposal technician, and specializes in terrorism, the use of weapons of mass destruction, and chemical weapons.  He was active in the investigation of the Tokyo biochemical attacks of 1995.

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

Planning Committee

Linda Alegreia, 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 Dan of Student Affairs, NSU

Janet Stucky

            First United Methodist Church Mission & Service Team