C e n t e r
f o r
M u l t i c u l t u r a l
E d u c a t i o n
VOICES
April 8, 2014
Promoting Diversity in the University Community and Beyond...
Inside this Issue:
Dr. Blackwell Piece
2
Get Involved This
Summer
3
Looking Back
4
White Privilege
Conference Review
5
White Privilege
Student Reflections
6
Crossword Puzzle
Answer
7
CONGRATULATIONS
FROM THE CME
TO ALL
GRADUATING
STUDENTS!
WE WISH YOU THE
BEST IN YOUR
FUTURE
ENDEAVORS!
Strong Asian American Women
Marie Lu
Amy Tan
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Marie Lu was born in
1984 in Beijing, China.
When she was just five
years old, her parents
moved her to the United
States. She grew up in
Texas, and eventually
went to the University of
Southern California as
well as interned with Disney and their interactive
studios program.
She
started as an art director
in the video game
industry, but decided
to
pursue
writing.
Lu is most known for
her Legend series, a New
York Times Bestseller
trilogy featuring a dystopic political story for young
adult readers. The series
is also in development to
hit the big screen. Lu is
also the owner of the
business and brand “Fuzz
Academy”. In 2010, Fuzz
Academy was chosen as a
top 20 brand with the
strongest potential for a
TV series at the International Licensing Expo.
Amy Tan was born in
the United States, but
was constantly moving as
a child. After her brother
and father both died from
a brain tumor six months
apart, she went on a
downward spiral while on
a vacation to Europe and
got arrested for drug
abuse. After getting off
with a warning, Amy
turned her life around
and received a scholarship
to
attend
Linfield College in
McMinnville, Oregon.
Fifteen years after the
beginning of her college
career, Tan searched for a
deeper meaning in life by
writing fiction. The author of several novels,
including a few children’s
books. She is most famous for The Joy Luck
Club and which was made
into a feature film for
which she wrote the
screen play and co produced.
Patsy Takemoto Mink
was born in Hawaii on
December 6, 1927. She
attended the University
of Hawaii and received
her J.D. the University of
Chicago Law School. She
moved back to Hawaii to
practice law, and was the
first Asian American
woman to do this. She
also became the first
Asian American Congresswoman when she
was elected to the U.S.
House of Representatives
in 1965 for twelve years.
She took time off from
Congress, where she
served as Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans
and International Environmental and Scientific
Affairs, and then was
president of Americans
for Democratic Action.
She returned to the
House of Representatives
in 1990 for another
twelve years until she
died of pneumonia at age
74.
Page 2
By: Dr. Michael D. Blackwell
As school winds down and we approach the month of May, it is time
to celebrate Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in the
United States. May is Asian Pacific
American Heritage Month
(APAHM). It is challenging to find
consistency in characterizing this
worthwhile observance, especially
because of blurred lines of demarcation. Are we supposed to recognize the history and culture, contributions and achievements, and the
issues and conflicts related to all
Asians around the world or specifically those of Asians who are U.S.
citizens? Certainly, in any discussion about a cultural group in this
country there has to be reference to
origins. However, such exploration
of roots, essential though it may be,
must not become the central narrative. That is to say, it serves mainly
as the backstory. What is most important is an examination of the
socioeconomic and political states
of affairs of citizens and, to a lesser
extent, of immigrants. This approach enhances comparative analysis of historical underrepresented
groups in the United States. Therefore, APAHM specifically commemorates the place and role of AAPIs
in the body politic. It occurs in the
month of May in remembrance of
Japanese immigration to the United
States in 1843 and the end of Chinese travail over the trans
continental railroad in 1869.
Since most college students are
no longer on campus in May,
APAHM usually gets short shrift.
Some schools use April to honor
and reflect on the multifarious advances made by AAPIs. Their efforts
notwithstanding, leaders in higher
education often fail miserably in this
regard. The average individual would
be hard-pressed to name five AAPIs of
note who are not celebrities, athletes,
or entertainers. This ignorance is a
constant reminder that we are really
not in a post-racial society—let alone
what it means if we were. As a matter
of fact, the neglect of things Asian, if
you will, is rampant, and this pandemic serves as a classic
example of institutional racism.
The media has not helped us to embrace in any holistic or constructive
way the varieties of experiences that
erstwhile Oriental cultures create and
endure. Consequently, the members
there of commonly suffer from a double indemnity. First, as persons of
color, they are oppressed and discriminated against continually and systematically. Second, in an odd kind
of way they are exploited as
so called model minorities.
There are about seventeen million
AAPIs that live in the United States—
approximately 5.5% of the U.S. population. Asian Americans overall reflect the poverty level of the country
as a whole, which is about 12.5% below the poverty level.
However,
among certain cultural groups the
poverty rates are astounding: 38% for
Hmongs, 29% Cambodians, nearly
19% Laotians, and 17% for Vietnamese. Some of their economic woes
may be attributed to the fact that they
have some of the highest high school
dropout rates in the country. Part of
it could also be that around 31% of
AAPIs believe they suffer from employment discrimination, all be it they
report it formally to the tune of 2.5%
of the total job discrimination complaints. Since the economic recession
of 2008, there has been a marked decline in home ownership among
AAPIs; percentage-wise, they have
borne the brunt in this category.
AAPIs constitute one third of the legal
immigrants who enter the United
States. Most AAPIs are foreign born.
A major impediment to full participation in American society regards English proficiency. Many
AAPIs still live in a family environment in which English is utilized
secondarily to native languages.
This deficiency or limitation contributes to inadequate healthcare access. AAPIs are disproportionately
numbered among deaths caused by
cancer and chronic hepatitis B. In
Hawaii, for instance, indigenous
Asians and Pacific Islanders twenty
years or over are two times more
likely to have diabetes than their
white Hawaiian counterparts.
Iowa is not numbered among the
ten top states with the largest AAPI
populations. They are, in rank order: California, New York, Hawaii,
Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, Washington, Florida, Virginia, and Massachusetts. The top ten Asian ethnicities are, in rank order: Chinese,
Asian Indian, Filipino, Vietnamese,
Korean, Japanese, Laotian, Pakistan, Cambodian, Hmong, and Tai.
The top two Pacific Islander ethnicities are, in rank order: Native
Hawaiians and Samoans.
In 2009, President Barrack
Obama began his Initiative on Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Since then his administration have
garnered a lot of facts and data related to the critical issues AAPIs face.
Recently in his speech on income
inequality, Obama indirectly included the concerns for improving the
lot of AAPIs. The Initiative not only
addresses the needs in AAPI communities, but also lifts up the social
and human capital in those communities that could assist in redressing
their challenges.
Furthermore,
members of the Obama Administration encourages AAPIs to engage in
public service and community projects.
Some of the information in this article was called
from WhiteHouse.gov
Page 3
The CME promotes students, faculty, and staff to embrace their culture. This is not limited to one’s ethnicity.
All of us have now lived in Iowa for anywhere from a few months to their entire lives. This summer we challenge you to embrace your Iowa culture. Below are a list of events and activities going on throughout the
summer to help you get involved in both Iowa and Cedar Valley traditions.
The Great BiCYCLE reCYCLE
Volunteer at Aspire
This is an art exhibit located at the Phelps Youth
Pavillion in Waterloo. It features works made from
recycled bicycle parts created by three local artists.
The exhibit offers bike and trail safety information
as well as provides hands-on learning activities
teaching viewers how to “go green.” The exhibit is
open the entire summer and only costs $5 to see.
Aspire Therapeutic Riding Program works with
clients with disabilities with animal assisted therapy. Clients can benefit from therapy classes, retreats, and conferences. Volunteers are needed for
barn and office assistants, classes, board and committee members. Training is also available for volunteers. If interested, visit http:/www.aspiretrp.org/
volunteers.php
College Hill Arts Festival
College Hill Arts Festival
Volunteer at Aspire
On June 20-21 is the 36th Annual College Hill
Arts Festival. Located on UNI campus on the corner
of College and 23rd, the festival features 75 artists
that were selected by three independent judges. The
artists will present and sell their work which includes jewelry, painting, glass, and more. Live music, activities for children, and food vendors will also
be present.
Friday Loo
Every Friday during the summer, Lincoln Park
in Waterloo hosts Friday Loo. The event is free and
open to the public. Live music is present more
times than not, and there are always food vendors
and beverages. The bands for this summer have
already been booked; to find the complete list, visit
http://www.mainstreetwaterloo.org/eventsThemeD
etail.asp?themeID=1
Butter Cow at the Iowa State Fair
Sturgis Falls Parade
Sturgis Falls
Iowa State Fair
Sturgis Falls, this year on June 26-29, is perhaps
one of the most fun weekends of the summer in Cedar Falls. Free live entertainment is just one of the
perks, but the weekend also includes a parade, carnival, classic car show, and much more. It is named
after Cedar Falls’ former name, Sturgis Falls. For
more information on the weekend’s events and its
rich history, visit www.sturgisfalls.org
One last summer getaway before school starts is a
necessity, and there’s no better place to do so than
the Iowa State Fair. Everything from butter sculptures to headlining concerts to food on a stick, this
fair is known for its fun. Located in Des Moines at
the Iowa State Fairgrounds, the fair goes from August 7-17. Some special features for 2014 include
shows from Lady Antebellum and the Goo Goo Dolls.
Page 4
The 2013-14 school year was an
exciting one for the Center for Multicultural Education. With motivating
speakers, an engaging book club, empathic films, and informative panels,
the year was full of entertaining ways
for students, faculty, staff, and community members to learn more about
diversity, civil rights, and cultural traditions. All in all, it was a successful
year, and we are excited here at the
CME to see what the next year brings.
This academic year, the CME decided to celebrate women, with our
theme being “Women and Society.”
All of our speakers were women, and
all of the books in our book club were
written by women. The fall of 2013
also celebrated our center being
located in Maucker Union for
ten years.
Formerly, our center
was located at the home for former
Vice President for Acad emic
Affairs at 2401 College Street.
Our highlight this year was the visit
from Ms. Angela Davis who delivered
the keynote address in the Annual
Human Rights Conference. Dr. Davis,
an iconic figure for the struggle for
freedom and equal opportunity, delivered a moving speech that Thursday
night that inspired students to keep
up the fight. She graciously met with
members of the UNI and Cedar Valley
community during the reception that
followed. The conference featured
many other encouraging speakers as
well, such as indigenous feminist Ms.
Erica Littlewolf, UNI student Ms. Jessica Garaway, and a panel featuring
Program Coordinator, Ms. Tabatha Cruz, and
students posing with journalist Ms. Sandra Guzman
women in the Cedar Valley,
including our very own Program
Coordinator, Ms. Tabatha Cruz.
The fall semester consisted of
other intriguing panels, speakers,
and events. The Annual Welcome
Back BBQ is always a favorite for
students. Some of the panels included informing guests on Hunger
in the Cedar Valley and commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of
JFK’s assassination. Other speakers included Dr. Ronald Sider,
author of Rich Christians in an Age
of Hunger, colorful poet Ms.
StaceyAnn Chin, and awardwinning journalist, Ms. Sandra
Guzman, who may return next year.
The CME also held a memorial
service for the great Mr. Nelson
Mandela, who passed away
in December of last year.
After winter break, CME events
immediately began! Dr. Marcia
Riggs, J. Erskine Love Professor of
Religion and Ethics at Columbia
Theological Seminary in Decatur,
Georgia, was the keynote speaker
for all the UNI MLK Day activities.
Riggs and Blackwell were classmates at Yale Divinity School in the
early 1980s. Other speakers that
lectured during this semester were
Ms. Christine Seyboe Tour, a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women honoree, and Ms. Lela Lee, of Angry
Little Asian Girl fame, is speaking
Monday, April 7, at 7:00 P.M. in the
CME. Rev. Dr. John Womack also
visited, delivering his “rags
Ms. Christine Seyboe Tour and CME Director Dr.
Michael D. Blackwell Discussion
to riches” testimony for the keynote
address at the UNI Black Student
Union’s Annual Toast for Change
Banquet and at Cedar Falls
High School and Jubilee United
Methodist Church in Waterloo.
Throughout the year, we have been
working with the Reaching for Higher
Ground: Food Matters project by
hosting a film series. Each month, we
have screened a documentary that
dissects various food issues. The last
film, The Garden, will be shown in the
CME at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, April
28. We have also facilitated a book
club that meets monthly. Once again,
there is one final book discussion that
will take place on Thursday, April 10,
at 3:30 P.M. in the CME. All are
encouraged to attend this month’s
session on The Psychological Health
of Women of Color by Lillian
Coma-Diaz and Beverly Greene.
This year isn’t over yet! We are also
hosting a poetry slam and open mic
night on Monday, April 14. Beginning
at 7:30 in the CME, the event features
poets Ms. Danique Seymour, Ms. Jerica Crawford, and Mr. Yaw Kyeremateng. Refreshments will be provided as we listen in an informal atmosphere and celebrate the conclusion of
this exciting academic year.
A group of students at the Annual Welcome Back
BBQ
Page 5
What is White Privilege?
Privilege is another form of racism; and
it is easier to deplore racism, than to take
responsibility of the privileges some of us
receive. As Peggy McIntosh, an associate
director of the Wesley College Center for
Research on Women talks about white
privilege in the “Unpacking the Invisible
Knapsack.” As a white person, she was
taught about how racism may put others at
a disadvantage, but one thing that was left
out was that she additionally had advantages. Of course, at least not long ago,
no schooling would teach about whites
being oppressors, or having an unfairly
earned advantage compared to AfricanAmericans. Peggy believes, as males are
not taught to recognize male privileges,
whites are carefully taught not to recognize
white privilege, but who are we fooling but
ourselves?
“I was taught to see racism only in individual acts of meanness,
not in invisible systems conferring dominance on my group.”
Peggy McIntosh
“Privilege exists when one group has something of value that is
denied to others simply because of the groups they belong to,
rather than because of anything they’ve done or failed to do. Access to privilege doesn’t determine one’s outcomes, but it is defiantly as asset that makes it more likely that whatever talent,
ability, and aspirations a person with privilege has will result in
something positive for them.” Peggy McIntosh
White Privilege Conference
The White Privilege Conference is a conference that brings together students in
high school or college, teachers and faculty
members, and so many more. This year
was the 15th annual White Privilege conference, and it took place in Madison, Wisconsin from March 26 to March 29 at the
Monona Terrace Conference Center. The
theme for this year’s white privilege conference was “Building relationships! Strengthening communities! Seeking justice!”
The White Privilege Conference was
started by an African American professor,
Dr. Eddie Moore Jr., to offer a challenging,
collaborative and comprehensive experience about racial group relations. The conference strives to empower and equip individuals to work for equity and justice
through self and social transformation.
Approximately 2,500 people attended the
White privilege conference coming from
more than 35 states, Australia, Bermuda,
Germany and Canada.
Conference Reflections
The CME Director, Dr. Michael D. Blackwell; graduate assistant, Lauren Wypiszynski; and student worker, Diane Ihimbazwe
all attended the WPC in Madison. The
CME also sponsored students, from the
UNI Social Work Master’s Program, to
attend the conference as well. Reflections
from the individuals who attended the conference are featured on the following pages
of the VOICES Newsletter.
A few daily effects of white privileges were analyzed by Peggy McIntosh, and a few of them are noted below:
I can be sure that if I ask to talk to “The person in charge” I will be facing a
person of my race.
If I should need to move, I can be pretty sure of renting or purchasing housing
in an area I can afford and in which I would want to live.
I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be
followed or harassed.
If a traffic cop pulls me over, I can be sure I haven’t been singled out because
of the color of my skin.
I can swear, or dress in second-hand clothes or not answer letters without
having people attribute these choices to the bad morals, the poverty or
illiteracy of my race.
Page 6
James Johnson– UNI Social Work Graduate Student
Wednesday night I attended a video screening of “What makes
me White.” What the narrator used to define whiteness was the
voices and images of African American people. The white people
who were in the video talked about their observations of their
Black counterparts and how it was their lack of acceptance and
inclusion that defined their position.
One person stated her childhood mirrored one of the African
American women who described people wanting to touch her hair.
This white young woman stated her peers and people of color did
the same to her long blond hair growing up. The difference was
her hair was seen as beautiful and the hair of the African American woman was seen as different then the norm.
A classmate of mine really asked the right questions to start the
process of consciousness raising. She asked me direct questions
about how her behavior now and in our recent shared past could
have been offensive or how she should ask persons of color questions so that she is more aware or sensitive. I was glad to see how
this conference, in its own way, provided a safe place for her to
question and to get information by informed sources on how she
could respond and behave in specific situations.
Jessica Gourley— UNI Social Work Graduate Student
The conference offered over one hundred workshops that participants could choose to attend. The workshops available covered so
many different topics that it was difficult at times to decide which
one to go to. I attended workshops that discussed consumerism,
mindfulness, Native American oppression, safety of cross-racial
discussion, and many more. One of the workshops that stood out
to me the most was the mindfulness workshop. This workshop
focused in on the importance of taking care of yourself while
fighting for social justice. The emphasis was to utilize mindfulness
techniques to reground oneself when the inequality and hatred
becomes too much to handle.
Whether a beginner, intermediate, or advanced level individual
with this kind of work, the caucuses allowed all participants to find
a place and opportunity to explore and brainstorm their own bias’
and challenge their thinking.
Lauren Wypiszynski— CME Graduate Assistant
For me personally, one of the most unique experiences, from the
White Privilege Conference this March, were the evening caucuses
offered to conference participants. Caucuses are break-out sessions, divided by race, providing participants an opportunity for
conference debriefing after each day.
Specifically, I attended the White Caucus on Friday, March 28,
2014. The White Caucus, immediately following Dr. Joe Feagin’s
keynote address that afternoon. Dr. Feagin is a sociologist from
Texas A&M University, who specializes in Racial and Ethnic Studies, Gender Relations, and the Urban Political Economy. His
presentation focused on depicting racial media images through a
white lens.
Moreover, the caucus following such presentation was very emotional for some participants. The images Dr. Feagin used were
very derogatory and some individuals found it very disturbing and
insulting hat Dr. Feagin even showed them. Many participants
expressed their opinions
Megan Vogt– UNI Social Work Graduate Student
I had a wonderful time in Madison, Wisconsin at the 15 th Annual White Privilege Conference. It was truly a privilege to be
able to attend such a great event with outstanding presenters
and like-minded individuals.
I really enjoyed each session I attended. One session that
stood out was about a new scale to measure cultural competence
in higher education. I feel that this scale is something that I will
be able to bring back to UNI to speak about in my office and use
to measure students’ competence before graduating from UNI. I
would also like to bring back a discussion about how everyone
has biases. People who have good hearts still do oppressive
things in unintentional ways. As individuals, we have to recognize our dominant and subordinate groups. We must recognize
our own before we recognize others so we know where we can
improve and make a step in the right direction.
Too many times, I focus on finding one right answer when
transforming our community into a socially just place. We must
try multiple times to find the answer to our questions and not
give up. This must be a group effort because of everyone is held
accountable in the fight against discrimination.
Ashley Heffern– UNI Social Work Graduate Student
I was able to attend workshops on a variety of topics. Probably
my two most meaningful workshops dealt with Christian hegemony and historical inaccuracies.
The conference helped me to remember the cards I have been
dealt have helped me to get where I am, and the cards of those
around me have impacted their lives as well. White privilege is
important for anyone to understand, but as a future social worker it is extremely important that I understand historical privilege
and the inequality that we are faced with today.
There was also space for open and honest discussion in the
workshops and especially during the caucus times. Hearing others’ struggles as well as suggestions to implement into life and
practice was invaluable. I also attended three film screenings,
which not only spurred great discussion, but opened me to new
learning tools to share with those around me. I feel that this
conference was a valuable asset to my education. It is important
for all individuals, but working with vulnerable populations
makes it especially important for us future social workers.
Page 7
Kennan Highly– UNI Social Work Graduate Student
If an interested party were to inquire about the most enriching
experience associated with the conference, I would say it’s simply
too difficult to pinpoint just one. Nevertheless, I would also be
sure to mention that for such a large conference (with approximately 2300 attendees), the atmosphere was never anything
short of cordial, respectful, and secure, thereby facilitating honest conversation among participants. Through candid yet courteous dialog between individuals, ideas were exchanged and consciousness was raised. I certainly feel as though I learned quite a
bit within the span of four days.
Sometimes, I found myself torn between two or three seminars
that were of great interest to me, and ultimately had to make
some tough choices in that regard. Beyond that, I have neither
regrets nor major complaints about my experience and would
leap at the opportunity to attend a future White Privilege Conference.
Diane Ihimbazwe- CME Student Assistant
On Thursday morning, I attended a workshop that focused
on how the media molds our society and perpetrates racial stereotypes. The presenter displayed pictures from magazines and
journals that are extremely offensive to minorities such as Native
Indians and African- Americans. One of the pictures was the controversial April, 2008 Vogue magazine cover of Lebron James,
the Miami Heat Basketball player, and the model Gisele Bundchen. James’ posture is ape-like, portraying him as a dangerous
angry black man, who is grabbing a smiling fragile blond white
female. The photograph is a bit too similar to King Kong and Fay
Way, and conveys the stereotype of the aggressiveness of black
males, and the vulnerability of women. It’s crazy how the media
creates stereotypes, and we often do not even realize it!
Jessica Gourley– UNI Social Work Graduate Student
The conference offered over one hundred workshops that
participants could choose to attend. The workshops available
covered so many different topics that it was difficult at times
to decide which one to go to. I attended workshops that discussed consumerism, mindfulness, Native American oppression, safety of cross-racial discussion, and many more. One of
the workshops that stood out to me the most was the mindfulness workshop. This workshop focused in on the importance of taking care of yourself while fighting for social
justice. The emphasis was to utilize mindfulness techniques
to reground oneself when the inequality and hatred becomes
too much to handle.
Whether a beginner, intermediate, or advanced level individual with this kind of work, the caucuses allowed all participants to find a place and opportunity to explore and brainstorm their own bias’ and challenge their thinking.
Here are the answers to the March Newsletter Word Search Puzzle!
Page 8
May 9
May 10
Spring 2014
Graduate Student
Commencement
Spring 2014
Undergraduate
Student
Commencement
COE and CBA
students
7:00 PM
GBPAC
10:00 A.M.
McLeod Center
May 10
May 17
Spring 2014
Undergraduate
Student
Commencement
CHAS and CSBS
students
Cedar Falls/
Waterloo MS Walk
2:00 P.M.
McLeod Center
10:00 AM
WRC
Register at
http://walkmnm.
nationalmssociety.org
Center for Multicultural Education
109 Maucker Union
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0165
Phone: 319-273-2250
Email: cme@uni.edu
Website: www.uni.edu/cme
Our Mission:
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
We foster success in racial and ethnic minority students, contribute to the cultural competence of all
students, and promote an appreciation of diversity in the University Community.
Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Michael D. Blackwell
Co-Editors: Lauren Wypiszynski, Brittni Haag and Diane Ihimbazwe