Thanks, Meta, for initiating this conversation.
I agree with Lillie that students today really want to talk and engage around social justice topics. I teach a course called Disarming Injustice: Nonviolence and the Civil Rights Movement and take students on a tour of the Deep South to numerous civil rights sites and centers.
Overwhelmingly, they are always amazed they never learned this history in high school and do a good job of connecting their learnings to today's social issues. And I keep forgetting how young they are..... For example: in Birmingham, we visited the neighborhood where Angela Davis lived as a child. They all had blank stares. I said, "You don't know who Angela Davis is?" Another history lesson.....
I also co-lead a task force at Elon on Black Student, Faculty and Staff Experiences and one thing we are learning from our focus groups/in-depth interviews, surveys, etc., from ALL students, is they want to talk with each other more -- through forums, town halls, panels, etc. I like Lillie's idea of holding a discussion each month. I think it is important in our roles as academicians to move these conversations forward.
Frances
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From: FOR THE MINORITIES AND COMMUNICATION DIV. OF AEJMC <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of LILLIE FEARS <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 3, 2015 11:12 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Some random thoughts
Hi Meta, and All,
I think that you (Meta) bring up some very timely issues. Two weeks ago, I hosted a panel discussion on my campus. It was titled "All Life Matters." We set up enough chairs for 100 people, and the students really showed up. That suggested to me that they want to talk and have a voice. I mean I have even thought about hosting more public forums on other issues, perhaps once each month. So, again, I agree that students today want to talk about social justice and other issues, and could use some help in organizing events that will assist them in making a difference.
Let's keep this conversation going. -- Lillie
Lillie Mae Fears, PhD
Professor of Multimedia Journalism
College of Media and Communication
Arkansas State University
POB 1930
State University, AR 72467
870.972.3210 (office/message)
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From: FOR THE MINORITIES AND COMMUNICATION DIV. OF AEJMC [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carstarphen, Meta G. [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2015 9:41 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Some random thoughts
Dear MACers:
Hope all is well and that everyone is surviving the winter weather that seems without ending.
I have wondered for a while how we as a group might have a conversation about the ways we can engage our students and the academy in social justice issues. We do this, I know in our lectures, our writings, our research. James has shared with us a wonderful example of he is working with students. I know there are others. But we may be so isolated in our work that we don't take the time to share and connect.
I am as guilty as anyone of this. Since the tragic murder of Trayvon Martin, I have seen a new determination in our students of color and others to be a voice for change. On my campus I joined with other colleagues to host a forum on this and again after the Michael Brown incident.
But it is one thing to be part of a national conversation and something else to have it hit close to home. On February 14, 2014, a family friend name Luis Rodriguez was killed in a senseless encounter with police in Moore OK. I won't take up your time with details--there is plenty of information out there on this case as we continue to press for justice. Last month, his wife (she refuses to claim the title widow) organized a rally to observe the one year anniversary of his death.
I have intentionally been in somewhat of a hibernation. I'm thinking a lot about how the work we do can connect with the communities we serve, and how the academy can do better. This was a driving reason why I agreed to run for office with AEJMC this year.
But I wonder if other MACers see any value in shaping a sustained conversation about social justice issues and the role of the media and mass communication in ways that might impact communities? Perhaps the work is already being done and we need to talk about what we are doing more.
Thanks James, Lillie, Anita, Sharon,Federico and so many more of you than I can name right now for inspiring me with what you do. Let's continue to encourage each other.
Thanks for letting me intrude with these thoughts.
Chao,
Meta
Meta G. Carstarphen, Ph.D., APR
Professor
Gaylord College of Journalism & Mass Communication
2005-2012 Gaylord Endowed Professor
University of Oklahoma ** 395 W. Lindsey Blvd-Room 3120B
Norman, OK 73019--PH: (405) 325-5227 * FX: (405) 325-7565
**FACEBOOK: DrMeta G Carstarphen **TWITTER: @DrMCar
**LINKEDIN: Meta G. Carstarphen, Ph.D., APR
Latest books: http://bit.ly/1vGlDmp // http://bit.ly/1y6NJgg
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