Xavier Program: "Black Woman's Burden: Commodifying Black Reproduction

Announcing a Women of Color Lecture:

“Black Woman’s Burden: Commodifying Black Reproduction.”

On Tuesday, March 9, Nicole Rousseau, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Kent State University, will visit Xavier to deliver a Women of Color Lecture titled “Black Woman’s Burden: Commodifying Black Reproduction.” The lecture will take place from 1:00 to 2:15 pm in the Conaton Board Room. Dr. Rousseau’s work on the structural and institutional roots of race, class, and gender inequalities; social rhetoric and identity formation; and historical Womanist theory has been included in several publications in the US and South America. Her first book also titled Black Woman’s Burden: Commodifying Black Reproduction was released in the fall of 2009 by Palgrave Macmillan.
It examines the historical atrocities perpetuated against Black women under the guise of regulating Black female sexuality and reproduction in the US, as well as the impact of stereotyping and the myth of “the angry Black woman” on the development of oppressive policies that lead to the construction of national, racial, and gender identities for Black women. The book was chosen a finalist for the North Central Sociological Association's Scholarly Achievement Award.

Co-sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and the Women’s Center, the lecture is free and open to the public. Faculty members who plan to bring their classes to the event are encouraged to contact Eileen Corder at 745-3539 so that she can ensure adequate seating.

Following the lecture, Dr. Rousseau will lead a Multicultural Fluency Institute faculty development lecture exploring social rhetoric and its influence on human interactions from 2:45 to 4:30 in the Library Center for Teaching Excellence. To register call X-3539 or email corder@xavier.edu.

Volunteer Opportunity: Leadership Scholars, Inc.

From Tara, facilitator of RAPP XXV:

I work for a non-profit that does leadership development for inner-city youth in Cincinnati. We have a bi-monthly Leadership Development Workshop where all the students come together and participate in a workshop (similar to RAPP). We have a workshop this Sunday, February 28 from 2:00 - 5:30 PM at Summit Country Day School (2161 Grandin Road), and we need some facilitators!

If you've ever had dreams about acting enriching the lives of countless people, here's your chance! You'd be facilitating a 45 minute workshop for either 7th, 8th and 9th, or 11th and 12th graders, depending on your preference. The workshops are simple, and you'll get them ahead of time. Our theme this month is "Communication and Personal Branding."

If you're interested, please let me know ASAP. We don't have a ton of spaces open, so first come, first served. If transportation is an issue for you, I'll give you a ride!

Thanks,
Tara Bonistall
Associate Director, Leadership Scholars Program Leadership Scholars, Inc.
1609 Madison Road, Suite C
Cincinnati, OH 45206
tara@leadershipscholars.org
http://www.leadershipscholars.org

A Rapid Response!

I jotted off a note to the Editor with many of the same thoughts I raised in an earlier post today, and I've been delighted to find out it's already be posted on-line on The News Record's website.

Here's a link to the posting and I've copied the text of the letter below:

To the Editor:

I was glad to read “Patterson opens race discussion” in today’s paper, highlighting the Harvard University professor’s presentation on current race issues in the U.S. I think the conversation this event generates can be very meaningful to our campus’ work on being a just and inclusive community.

A&S Dean Hardcastle was quoted throughout the article and I agree wholeheartedly with one of her major points: Discussions about race relations – particularly when crossing racial lines – can be uncomfortable and thus may be avoided by many. I disagree strongly, though, with the statements implying this program will start conversations where there was previously a void.

Another article just behind this one highlights the fact that there are many people at UC – and within A&S – who are already spurring these conversations. As the day’s “Spotlight” demonstrated, history professor Dr. Nikki Taylor has been creating meaningful conversations and education around issues of race here at UC and throughout Greater Cincinnati. I know there are countless other academics here at UC working to combat racism and other forms of oppression through education and conversation.

UC has had the Racial Awareness Program (RAPP) since 1986. Now approaching our 25th year, we continue our tradition of difficult conversations about race and other areas of social identity. In the process, we empower students with knowledge and skills to continue to combat oppression through individual awareness and collective action. Students are invited to apply for membership spring through early fall to join the nine-month program RAPP. All throughout the year, our team offers programming around racial disparities and other areas of social injustice in our own community and around the world.

Student Life as a whole is always abuzz with the kind of conversations that programs like Dr. Patterson’s spark. The student group United Black Student Association creates fora both formal and informal where issues of race and racism are confronted, as it has been doing for decades under various leadership and names. Many offices throughout Student Life - among them the UC Women’s Center, Ethnic Programs & Services, the African American Cultural and Research Center, and Resident Education and Development – provide not only informal space where students and staff can engage issues of social justice but also provide a wealth of educational and experiential programming that generates meaningful conversation and learning.

University-wide, we have had the Just Community initiative for well over a decade. This initiative and the core principles behind it challenge every member of our community to take responsibility for their role in ensuring that our University is a place where everyone can excel academically as well as personally. Just Community sponsors active programs such as speakers and engagement in city-wide community work. Daily interaction with the principles has been encouraged through programs like Table Talk, a weekly programming series created by Resident Education and Development.

I am delighted to see that this work is on-going and that so many departments worked together to bring the thought- and discussion-provoking presentation by Dr. Patterson and thank Dean Hardcastle for her support of it. I just want to make sure that all of the work that is continually being done to encourage crosscultural discussion and education is not overlooked.

Take care,

Rebecca Lehman
Program Coordinator
Racial Awareness Program
Student Activities and Leadership Development

Rafael Renella Scholarship - Applications Due Friday, April 2nd

The Rafael Renella scholarship recognizes and rewards students at UC who have demonstrated leadership and motivational qualities through active participation in student groups dedicated to serving the UC and Greater Cincinnati Latino community.

Contact Yakaira Ramos at Ethnic Programs and Services for more information or an application.

History of the Rennella Scholarship:

Rafael Rennella was a student leader at the University of Cincinnati. He came to Cincinnati from Argentina in 1979 and eventually earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering at U.C. in 1994. Rafael left a legacy of service and accomplishment. Always true to his ethnic roots, Rafael founded the Hispanic Engineers at the University of Cincinnati, devoted long hours to the Emerging Ethnic Engineers program and helped found Latinos en Acción, a student organization active in political and social causes on campus. He served as president of Latinos en Acción in 1994-1995. Upon graduating from U.C., Rafael began working with Procter & Gamble as a systems analyst. Rafael’s life and labor were cut short at the age of 26 when he died of an asthma attack in 1995. Shortly thereafter, students, staff, faculty, alumni and P&G employees organized to develop a plan to raise $25,000 towards an endowment goal.

Selection Criteria:

· Applicants must be full time matriculated undergraduate students currently enrolled at the University of Cincinnati. Matriculated means that applicants are actively carrying a minimum of 12 quarter credit hours and have been admitted to a degree program.

· Students must have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA.

· Applicants must have documented community service hours.

Preference will be given to students:

· Who carry a GPA of 3.0 or higher

· Who have demonstrated leadership in any of the following groups: Latinos en Acción, Club Hispano or Alpha Psi Lambda.

· Who express a desire to continue their roles in the Latino Community on and off campus.

· Who display community service events that are focused toward the Latino community.

Selection Committee

All applications will be reviewed by the selection committee members who will be comprised of eligible faculty and staff to review the applications. The qualifying candidates will then meet with the committee members during the week of April 12^th – April 16^th, 2010. Applicants will be evaluated on three primary criteria: academic record at U.C., proven leadership positions and commitment to serving the University of Cincinnati Latino community. The scholarship awarded for the academic year of 2010-2011 dispersed in equal amounts during the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters.

Application Deadline: Friday April 2^nd, 2010

E-mail or Give Application to:

Yakaira Ramos
UC Ethnic Programs & Services

ML 0092

513-556-6008

Steger 555

Yakaira.Ramos@uc.edu

Race & The News Record

The News Record had several articles today that caught my eye:

First, a piece on the recent campus visit by Dr. Orlando Patterson, Harvard University professor. I'm excited to hear about the discussion it generated and was sorry to miss the event (was at the Human Rights Watch film festival instead). The only thing I'd challenge in this article is that this event is "starting" a discussion on race on our campus. I definitely see where it may be starting it among people who haven't been discussing it. But I've seen many a meaningful discussion on race on this campus in my twelve years here. RAPP's been trucking along on the topic (among many) for 24 years. The United Black Student Association (UBSA) brings dozens of formal and countless informal conversations on the topic every year (as it has over its many decades and different names). Ethnic Programs and Services, the UC Women's Center, Resident Education and Development, the AACRC, NPHC organizations, and dozens of student groups - all of them generate thought-provoking, meaningful conversations on our campus around race and other areas of social identity. And that's just Student Life! Many of our academic peers are working daily on this, too!

Speaking of our awesome student groups, Ron Hart Brown - Programs and Activities Council, UBSA, and an RA, among other things - penned a great letter to the editor about programming on campus. His letter was in response to an opinion piece by a student who transfered to UC from OU in 2008 and has come to believe that "nothing is happening at UC." Ron's letter highlights the sad but important fact that the biggest limiting factor for our campus activities in terms of the programs put on by PAC is financial - we have 1/5 of the budget of OSU and unlike OU we won't charge students for tickets to cover the cost. That last fact is one thing I really value about PAC: Despite their lack of funds, they bring over 50 fun and free programs to our campus each year, including big name bands, comedians, and speakers. They are committed to making these accessible to all students regardless of their financial means.

On a final note, today's Spotlight is about UC history professor Nikki Taylor. It highlights well the work she is doing to create meaningful conversation and offering education as a means to combat racism in education and in our community.

"Notes Left Behind" Author to Visit Campus

From Kathy Dick, director of the Center for Community Engagement:

You are Cordially Invited to Join the UC Community in the Continued Fight Against Cancer

“Winning the Fight Against Cancer”

Notes Left Behind Book Signing and Speaking Event
February 25, 2010
4 p.m.-5 p.m
University of Cincinnati main campus, TUC Great Hall

Nationally acclaimed authors of the book Notes Left Behind will be on the University of Cincinnati campus to help bring awareness about a needed cure for all cancers, starting first with one of the most deadly and difficult: pediatric brain cancer. Brooke and Keith Desserich are the Cincinnatian authors who have been featured in multiple world-wide media outlets with their book atop The New York Times Bestseller list.

Notes Left Behind is the true story of the authors’ six-year-old girl named Elena and her battle against brain cancer. In her last days she showed a community how to love and how to live.

Come learn more about the authors’ experiences, get your book signed, hear how you can help in the UC fight against cancer through Relay For Life and Colleges Against Cancer and get free Graeter’s Ice Cream!

Proudly Sponsored by: UC Community Engagement Leadership House, the UC Center for Community Engagement, the UC student chapters for Relay For Life and Colleges Against Cancer, The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County and Graeter’s Inc., which will be providing free samples of “Elena’s Blueberry Pie Ice Cream,” a product that benefits The Cure Starts Now Foundation. Notes Left Behind can also be purchased at the UC Bookstore in Tangeman University Center.

Further Links:

Sign up at the Facebook event!

Learn more about Notes Left Behind and The Cure Starts Now Foundation.

More information on how this event came about in UC News.
Cincinnati.com News Brief.

"Getting Ready for Your Career" Program

On Thursday, February 25th, the Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers (SASE) and Proctor & Gamble are presenting "Getting Ready for Your Career."
The program is open to students of all majors and ethnicities. It will cover:

• Preparing for your future career
• Mentoring programs available
• What SASE and Ethnic Programs and Services are/do

Thursday, February 25th
6:30PM
555 Steger Student Life Center (EPS Office)

Free pizza and drinks provided!

Rescheduled EPS Volunteering Day

The Office of Ethnic Programs and Services has announced its rescheduled time for volunteering with Matthew 25. See the picture below for details.

Dinner & a Movie

Free this Monday at 5:00PM? Looking for something to do before the Human Rights Watch Film Festival kicks off?

The UC Wellness Center is offering a free dinner & a movie in 500 Swift Hall at 5:00PM on Monday, February 22nd.

Dinner comes from the local "green deli" Melt. Movie is Food, Inc., a documentary about America's industrialized food system.

Human Rights Watch Film Festival

Diversity Education is organizing local participation in the International Human Rights Watch Film Festival. This event is co-sponsored by UC|Sustainability.

Come enjoy a free film showing every night Monday, February 22nd through Friday, February 26th. Films start at 7PM and are shown in the MainStreet Cinema in Tangeman University Center. This festival is free and open to the public.

Feb. 22 at 7pm: Afghan Star
After 30 years of war and the Taliban’s repression, Afghan Pop Idol is taking the nation by storm. But this is more than just a TV show. In Afghanistan you risk your life to sing.

at 9pm: Naqoyqatsi
A visual journey through life as war.
(presented by UC|Sustainability)

Feb. 23 at 7pm: Crude
The inside story of the “Amazon Chernobyl” case in the rainforest of Ecuador, the largest oil-related environmental lawsuit in the world.

Feb. 24 at 7pm: Burma VJ - Reporting from a Closed Country
Armed with video-cameras, a tenacious band of Burmese reporters face down death to expose the repressive regime controlling their country.

at 9pm: Manufactured Landscapes
Capturing the intentional in the death of the natural, the photography of Edward Burtynsky.
(presented by UC|Sustainability)

Feb. 25 at 7pm: The Reckoning: The Battle for the International Criminal Court
An insightful documentary that follows two riveting dramas—the prosecution of unspeakable crimes and the International Criminal Court’s fight for justice.

Feb. 26 at 7pm: My Neighbor, My Killer
When peace comes, how do you make it right again? An epic emotional journey in search of coexistence in Rwanda.

Slowly Moving Closer to a Reunion

Ever since coming into my position as Program Coordinator, one of my goals has been to organize a RAPP Reunion.

I've been working to make slow progress toward that as we approach our 25th year - a great year for a reunion, no?

Two milestones in the progress have come:

1. Our RAPP Reunion Committee has come together - our first meeting is this coming Tuesday! There's still time to get involved in this if you're interested.

2. Our database of names keeps growing! When I came into this position, I had no record available of who has been in RAPP and found there were no records kept elsewhere in the University. It's a been a slow process rebuilding this list - lots of Facebook, sitting down with RAPPers and asking them to remember names, and digging through what limited historical records we do have.

Today I made an exciting realization: We're at just over 250 names! I estimate that somewhere between 600-700 people have complete RAPP - we're approaching the halfway point in knowing who these amazing people are.

Want to help with this? Please call or email me with any names you have that you don't find on our "RAPP History" website.

In the meantime, keep your eyes out (here and on Facebook) for information about upcoming get-togethers. While we're not due for an official 25th Year Reunion until 2011, it seems the energy is there for another kind of reuniting get-together.

(pic-screenshot from today's database update)

-Rebecca

Public Allies

Public Allies is national organization whose local branch has helped many RAPPers become leaders for the future in its twelve years in Cincinnati. I hope that we continue to have much sharing of people between our organizations.

Current RAPPer Wil has been great about letting folks know about the opportunity Public Allies (PA) affords its volunteers. Below is information he sent to our group about PA:

PA is a ten-month AmeriCorps program that pairs up diverse, young leaders with local nonprofits. An individual's nonprofit work runs from Mon-Thurs, while Fridays are reserved for learning sessions, leadership development, and group community service. More or less. I did PA, and it was probably the best decision I've ever made.

Link to a promo video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE_b3eNo7Bs

If you are not interested in Public Allies or will not be able to do the program, you still may be able to help me out:

-by forwarding this information to friends or family who may be interested -by arranging for a PA person to give a short recruitment pitch at your student group meeting (if appropriate, willing, etc.)

-by keeping the program in mind when you graduate

Application deadline is April 30th, program starts September 2010.

Information sessions will be held at the BRIDGES offices, 430 Reading Road, Fourth Floor at 6:30 pm on the following dates:
Feb 24
March 10 & 24
April 1 & 2

Link to program information through the Bridges for a Just Community website:

http://bridgescincinnati.org/allies-home.html

For more information, please feel free to call, email, or talk to me. Also, you can reach the Director of Admissions, Un Jin Krantz, at un.jin.krantz@bridgescincinnati.org and unjin.krantz@gmail.com. If you gave me your email at retreat, I've forwarded it to her.

RAPPORT Volunteers with Over the Rhine Community Housing

On Saturday, a group from RAPPORT volunteered with Over the Rhine Community Housing, providing the "sweat equity" that makes it possible for this large organization to provide affordable housing sustaining a diverse community downtown.

Our group at the end of the day. Along with community friends, you'll find the following RAPPers: Kimmins (XXIII), Meagan (XXV), Rebecca (XXII), Dion (XXV), Katie (XXIV), Nicole (XXIV), and Maggie (XXV).

Our group was excited to learn it's legal for us to ride in the back of a truck! Kimmins (XXIII), Chris (friend of RAPP), Rebecca (XXII), and Maggie (XXV) showing off our "truck surfing" skills.

Kimmins shows off their cleaning skills!

The gang showing off the clean floor of the first place we cleaned. Katie (XXIV), Emma (XXII), Nicole (XXIV), and Bethany (friend of RAPP).

Meagan - a regular volunteer with Over the Rhine Community Housing - was our awesome Team Leader for the day. And she's RAPP XXV!

Two Great Programs from Ethnic Programs & Services

2/17 UPDATE:

These two programs have had their dates/times changed due to this week's school closings:

The Art of Calligraphy Workshop
When: Thursday, February 25, 2010
Time: 3:30PM-5:30PM
Where: Steger Student Life Center 6th Floor
What: Ethnic Programs and Services have teamed up with Professor Lili Zhang and Professor Jade Lin to bring the students of UC a workshop on the art of Calligraphy. This interactive hands-on workshop will teach students how to write Chinese using mao bi brushes.

Taste of Asia: China
Postponed until March (I will email everyone when definite time and date is set)
Where: Office of Ethnic Programs and Services Steger 555
What: Come join EPS for a Taste of Asia. We will be sampling a variety of dishes that exemplify Chinese cuisine.

This past Thursday, Ethnic Programs and Services hosted a popular Paint a Lantern party to celebrate Lunar New Year. They continue campus celebrations of this international holiday throughout next week with two more exciting programs:
(click on the pictures for a larger view)

The Vagina Monologues @ UC

RAPPers this year and last saw the documentary V-Day: Until the Violence Stops at their winter retreat. RAPPers from many years have played a part in the production and performance of The Vagina Monologues.

This year, it looks like UC will have the benefit of two productions of the play!

This weekend, Raymond Walters College will host three performances of The Vagina Monologues: Friday, February 12th at 7PM; Saturday, February 13th at 7PM; Sunday, February 14th at 2PM. Tickets are $6 at the door and all proceeds will go to the YWCA House of Peace, a local protective shelter for survivors of domestic violence. You can find more information about the performances on their Facebook Event page.

Main campus will host a reading of the monologues on Monday, March 1st, at 7PM in 427 ERC. Auditions are being held today, Thursday, February 11th from noon until 4PM. For more information, please contact Kim Fulbright at kimberly.fulbright@uc.edu.

Call for Writing: Triota Blog

Iota Iota Iota - commonly called Triota - is a national honor society for students in women's, gender, and sexuality studies.

Our UC chapter runs a blog documenting their activities and ideas/events of note for UC students.

Kelly C of RAPP XXV works on the blog and has recently sent out a call for submissions for reflections on one's experience of gender and/or sexuality for possible inclusion on the blog. You can get more information about this or send your submissions to her at skellylynn@gmail.com.

RAPP XXV Winter Retreats

Here are some pictures from the RAPP XXV winter retreats held Friday-Sunday. For those wondering why I use the plural, we have two retreats: The RAPP XXV group that usually meets on Tuesdays went Friday-Saturday and the RAPP XXV group that usually meets on Wednesdays went Saturday-Sunday.What I consider to be one of RAPP's strengths: one-on-one conversations. Mahsino & Adam of RAPP XXV Tuesday.

RAPP XXV Tuesday working in small groups.

RAPPers putting the group's thoughts on paper.

A group of RAPP XXV Wednesday working together to record their thoughts.

Half of RAPP XXV Wednesday talking about gender expectations.

A fun group picture after a long weekend - RAPP XXV Wednesday!

Black History Month Activities @ UC

Black History Month is in full swing at UC. Check out this UC News post on many of the events available:
http://www.uc.edu/News/NR.aspx?id=11351.

UC’s Black History Month activities look back, look forward, look at each other, look at ourselves — and look at Haiti.

By: Wendy Beckman
Phone: (513) 556-1826

Kicking off the month with the Kuamka Week Extravaganza 2010 and ending with a benefit concert to help the victims of the Haiti earthquakes, the University of Cincinnati celebrates Black History Month remembering the past, reaching out in the present and rising to the future.

UC’s African American Cultural & Research Center celebrates 18 years of excellence through its annual creative programming and special events.
“Kuamka is a Swahili word that means ‘in the beginning.’ Our theme, ‘Reviving the Legacy,’ will link all of our programs and activities together,” said Ewaniki Moore-Hawkins, assistant director of the African American Cultural & Research Center (AACRC). “This year we are celebrating 11 years of our Kuamka activities in the first week, the Annual Kuamka Extravaganza 2010. The week will feature ‘The Mr. & Ms. Kuamka Pageant’ and the ‘Rites of Passage’ for our first year Transitions students.”
The 11th Annual Kuamka Extravaganza 2010 begins on Feb.1 and ends with a semi-formal ball on Feb. 6. Black History Month activities continue through the month, concluding with a stirring concert by the multitalented AACRC Choir, under the direction of P. Eric Watford. A portion of the proceeds from the concert will be directed to the Haiti earthquake relief efforts.
The AACRC Choir's Feb. 20 Winter Concert will share the message of hope through song.Details
Feb. 1, 2010 — Meet Mr. and Ms. KuamkaLocation: MainStreet Cinema, Tangeman University Center (TUC)Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.Come out and officially be introduced to our 2010 Kuamka candidates! They will be answering impromptu questions from a panel of judges on a myriad of topics. They will be critiqued on poise, their ability to answer the question, and the clarity of their responses. We hope to see you there!
Feb. 2, 2010 — Kuamka BYOO (Bring Your Own Opinion) Black Family DiscussionLocation: 400C, TUCTime: Noon –1:15 p.m.United Black Student Association and the AACRC have partnered to provide a forum to discuss the successes and struggles of the black family. This is a topic we know faculty, staff and students will have an opinion about, so bring your lunch and be prepared to share as we delve into deep issues involving the black family.
Feb 3, 2010 — Kuamka Talent ShowLocation: Great Hall, TUCTime: 7 p.m.So you think you got talent? Well, our Kuamka candidates certainly do! This event will showcase our candidates’ artistic abilities through song, dramatic interpretation, dance and much more!
Feb 4, 2010 — Kuamka: Act Like a Lady — Be a Man ProgramLocation: African American Cultural and Research CenterTime: Noon – 1:30 p.m.Join the Lambda Society, Collegiate 100 and the AACRC as we discuss the roles of African American men and women. Stereotypes, myths, “do”s and “don’t”s — nothing will be off limits! Come and be a part of what is sure to be a lively discussion.
Feb 5, 2010 — Kuamka: Be a Match — Save a Life Preview EventLocation: African American Cultural and Research Center Time: 3:30 – 5 p.m. Are you ready to save a life? All it takes is a swab! African Americans suffer at disproportionately higher rates from diseases that call for bone marrow transplants. Come find out more information about how you can be a part of the Bone Marrow Registry and hear from a transplant recipient who has a greater quality of life as a result of people like you who want to make a difference!
Feb 6, 2010 — Kuamka Extravaganza 2010: Red, Black, Green & Gold BallLocation: Great Hall TUCTime: 7 p.m. Attire: Semi-formal or African garbFree tickets available in the AACRC
Let’s party! Kuamka week and competition culminates with the Red, Black, Green and Gold Ball. The extravaganza will feature the Rites of Passage program for our Transitions students, the Kujifunza academic ceremony and the coronation and crowning of our new Mr. and Ms. Kuamka. Be there to see who will wear the crown!
Feb. 7 – 13, 2010 — United Black Student Association’s Black Love WeekThe annual "Black Love Week" commemorates and celebrates love in the black community. The general purpose of Black Love Week is to explore the many facets of love and its place in the African-American community. This year's theme is "A Chocolate High."
Feb. 16, 2010 — Student-Faculty Roundtable, sponsored by A&S, the Office of the Provost and the Vice Provost for Student Affairs.Topic: "Obama and Race in America: Have Race Relations Really Changed?" Location: 800 Swift Hall Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m.Feb. 20, 2010 — AACRC Choir Winter Concert: Experience the message of hope through song. Location: Great Hall TUCTime: 6 p.mTickets: $7 in advance or $10 at the door (a portion of the proceeds will benefit the victims of the Haiti earthquakes)
The theme for the concert will highlight “Black History,” as the AACRC choir will offer, along with music, their overall talents to blend the messages of hope, love and encouragement. Also, through various artistic and expressive ways, the choir will share powerful presentations of singing, rapping and dancing as a way to show support to the victims of Haiti.
Tickets may be purchased at the African American Cultural and Research Center or from any choir member for $7 in advance and $10 at the door (a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Haiti). For more information, please call 513-556-1177 or by visiting the AACRC Web site.
Feb. 22, 2010 — Distinguished Lecture by Orlando Patterson (Harvard University and "The New York Times"), sponsored by A&S, the Office of the Provost and the Vice Provost for Student Affairs.Topic: "Obama and Race in America"Location: MainStreet Cinema, TUCTime: 3 p.m.
Feb. 23, 2010 — Student Discussion: A Meeting with Orlando Patterson (Harvard University and "The New York Times"), sponsored by A&S, the Office of the Provost and the Vice Provost for Student Affairs.Location: 3230 Recreation Center Time: 9:30 – 11:00 a.m
A&S Departments Recognize Black History MonthLecture, 'Obama and Race in America,' to feature Orlando Patterson of Harvard University.

New "What's @ UC?" at Stratford Heights

On Monday we "premiered" a revised version of our "What's @ UC?" game in a program sponsored by Lisa W, resident advisor for the Gen-1 House and RAPP XXIV member.
The revamped game included:

• Statistics on reported race and gender updated for the 2009-2010 schoolyear.
• New questions on sexuality and disability resources at UC.
• A new section on religions and religious resources at UC.

I really enjoyed playing the game with the group who faired the snowy weather. I particularly enjoyed our conversation afterwards about the experience playing the game, how it related to our daily lives, and the questions and ideas folks were taking away from it. Thanks for the great times, gang!

(pic: Some of the participants - look how exciting the game can be!)
-Rebecca

25th Annual Leadership Conference

Saturday, February 27th, the Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development will be hosting the 25th Annual Leadership Conference.

This year's theme is Leadership Reconsidered: Re Defining Leadership in an OMG LOL College Environment and will offer a wide variety of conference sessions. Keep checking the SALD website for updates on sessions and key note speaker!

The conference is free to UC students and $15 for students from other institutions.

To register, go here.

Educating Latinos for Kentucky's Future Conference

UC's President Dr. Williams and VP of Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Livingston are co-sponsoring the 2010 Educating Latinos for Kentucky's Future conference, to be held at Northern Kentucky University February 11th-12th.

The theme is Opportunities and Challenges Facing Latino Students in the Commonwealth. Our University leaders' generous support of the conference has made it possible for several Student Life staff to participate in the conference, including me. I'm looking forward to becoming more educated in the concerns facing Latino/a students throughout both the commonwealth and theUS.

Two RAPPers up for "Best of Cincinnati" Award

Voting is going on now for the annual Best of Cincinnati awards in our local independent news weekly, CityBeat. You can go HERE to vote on a wide variety of "bests" in our City.

Up for the Best Local Activist award are two members of RAPP XXIV! Congratulations to both of them on their nomination!

Nancy Paraskevopoulos is currently a Peer Leader with RAPP XXV. On top of a busy class schedule she also has been a leader in the Campus Antiwar Network - last year part of the team who organized UC hosting last year's national CAN conference and this year organizing the UC group going to the conference at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She's also currently organizing a book drive for Dheishe Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, organizing get-togethers between Zionist and Palestinian-solidarity students to encourage healthy discussions, writing a zine about her work in Israel and Palestine as a fundraiser for the Interfaith Peace-Builders, and working to bring Evan Greer to UC to teach us how to bring together various student groups in coalitions.

Blake Jelley is a leader in UC Alliance and IMPACT Cincinnati. Blake has also traveled around the US working on marriage equality, starting with involvement in Prop 8 protests in Cincinnati, travelling to speak at a state-wide rally in Columbus last winter, and travelling to protest in DC and work on campaigns in Maine and New Jersey. He also helped organize the recent UC Flash Mob that received national attention.

2010 Campus Antiwar Network Conference

RAPPORT Peer Leader and RAPP XXIV member Nancy P is an active leader in the Campus Antiwar Network. She was part of the team that led UC hosting last year's "CANference". Now she's part of the team organizing UC's participation in the 2010 conference at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

You can learn a bit more about the conference on the CAN website and through this YouTube video.

If you are interested in participating in local chapter and/or attending the conference this year, you can find the group's contact info in the student group section of the Student Activities and Leadership Development website.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year!

Another great program to celebrate the lunar new year on campus!

The Office of Ethnic Programs and Services is have a "Paint a Lantern" party on February 11 from noon to 2PM.

(click on the picture to see the flyer in a larger view)

Food for our Minds and Bellies!

It takes a while to get ready for a RAPP retreat.

A year to half-a-year ahead of time, we put together the year's schedule. Then we make reservations with the locations and reserve buses to take people there and back.

Closer to the time, we three facilitators work over several meetings to plan sessions that we hope are relevant, meaningful, and challenging. We discuss the theory behind what we're doing, look at feedback from the group on what interests them, consider our overall curriculum, brainstorm a variety of ways to approach the goals of the retreat, and finally piece it all together into nine hours of in-session programming. Then there's the work of putting together all the supplies needed for the selected activities and general useful things for the house. We track who will be able to attend (and, in some cases, for how long) and make final payments with the retreat center.

Then, the night before, comes the funnest part: buying snacks!

I thought it was funny to see how much snack food (junk and otherwise) we got for the ~70 people coming to this weekend's retreats. Wow - that's a lot of food in my book!

We provide three meals at the retreat center; but I quickly learned as a RAPP member (and had reinforced as a facilitator) the importance of having snacks to keep people going through the long hours - especially knowing that some never go to sleep.

Hidden amongst that pile of food, of course, is a lot of Oreos! :)

-Rebecca

Winter Retreats This Weekend!

It's another exciting weekend in RAPP world! Winter retreats are this Friday through Sunday - our Tuesday nights group will be at Grailville Friday-Saturday and our Wednesday nights group will be there Saturday-Sunday.

This retreat's theme is exploring issues of sex and gender. The facilitation team has had a great time the last few weeks getting our sessions ready and are excited to see what our group members learn from each other this time around.

I enjoy winter retreats at our "home base" of Grailville because the cold outside keeps us in the warm inside - talking and getting to know each other on deeper levels. Our sessions will hit a variety of ideas related to sex, gender, sexism, and cissexism. I know that even more interesting, in many ways, will be the ideas that come up during "free time" discussions.

Can't wait!

(pic-RAPP XXIV Wednesday at their winter retreat)

-Rebecca

Opportunity for Publishing: Queer Canon Call for Submissions

GenderBloc, the University of Cincinnati’s radical queer student group that focuses on transgender activism, is placing a call for submissions for its quarterly zine.

Submissions can be submitted by anyone, not just UC students, and can be art, writing or anything that can be printed on a page. We use the definition of queer loosely, so please don't see it as a limit.

Please send to them queercanon@gmail.com or stuffqueerpeopleneedtoknow@gmail.com.

Past issues of The Queer Canon are available here . Please pass this information along!

The Queer Canon submission guidelines:

Word Limit:

* Maximum word limit is between 1500-2000 words.

* There is no minimum word limit.

Examples of written work: Short stories, poetry and prose, academic and theoretical work, letters, songs

Artwork and Images

Acceptable Formats: JPEG file, GIF file

(Color work may be submitted, but will be printed in black and white.)

Maximum file size: Under 10MB

Examples of images: Photography, drawings and sketches, paintings, comics and caricatures, digital work, graphics, charts and graphs

Editing Process

There is a simple reviewing process of works submitted. No works are out-right rejected. If a work is not accepted for a particular issue it will be returned to the author for revision. The author may then, if they choose, submit the work again.

We try hard to preserve the original layout and fonts of each work submitted; butsometimes small edits are made when we are creating the final layout for the zine. If there is special instruction for you piece, please include it in the submission email.

Authoring

Pieces can be submitted under a name, assumed name/pen name, or anonymously. Non-original work (work created by someone other than the person submitting it) may be submitted only if it is accompanied by the proper citations. Non-original, un-cited works will not be printed.

BYOO=Bring Your Own Opinion

As a part of Kuamka week, the United Black Student Association is hosting an event that RAPP facilitators will be helping lead.
Come out to tomorrow, Tuesday 2 February, for a discussion on Black families. In this forum, we'll explore and challenge our ideas and assumptions about black families.

BYOO (Bring Your Own Opinion) "Black Families"
Tuesday, 2 February
12:00-1:15PM
TUC 400 C

Film Friday Fun!

Many thanks to the RAPPers and RAPPORT folk who came out for Film Friday last week!
We chose to watch The Corporation and, given its length, many folks came and went throughout the hours we spent watching it. Shown is the gang left at the end.
If you couldn't make it but would still like to see the film, it's available from the UC Library (where we got our copy), online at Hulu, or you can purchase your own copy for $25 at HelloCoolStuff (where the The Corporation folk recommend to buy it).