MARIST
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER
2014
ISSUE #6
CENTER FOR
MULTICULTURAL
AFFAIRS
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
IN THIS ISSUE:
STAFF:
Iris Ruiz-Grech
Director
Mary Canto Rice
Assistant Director
Karen Tomkins-Tinch
Coordinator,
International Student Programs
Angel L. Arriaga
Counselor/Tutor
Coordinator
Siraj Bah
Counselor
Michael Strong
Office Assistant
Roza Makhmudova
Educational Assistant
CONTACT:
Center for Multicultural Affairs
(CMA)
Cannavino Library
Suite 337
845.575.3204
multicultural@marist.edu
Visit us on Facebook at
Marist Center for Multicultural Affairs
www.facebook.com/maristcollegecma
KEEPIN’ IT REAL
BROWN AND PROUD
FAMOUS PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES
HAJJ, DAY OF ARAFAT,
EID UL ADHA
COMING OUT
ROSH HASHANAH & SUKKOT
WELCOME SIRAJ BAH
CMA AGENTS OF SOCIAL CHANGE
CONGRATULATIONS!
P.1
P.2
P.4
P.5
P.6
P.8
P.9
P. 10
P. 11
KEEPIN’ IT REAL
Marisel Herrera, the author of Puerto
Rican Goldilocks: A Lyrical Journey
through the Barrio, was a guest speaker
here at Marist and had a genuine talk
about succeeding in life and in college.
Meant to inspire her audience, she draws
from her own personal experiences to
increase the capacity of knowledge
within everyone and help them realize
and remember their goals and dreams,
create and maintain strong relationships,
and bring their best to the table.
There was a high attendance rate and
copies of her book were raffled off to
those who attended the event. Marisel
spoke to the group about her college
experience and many of the struggles she
faced during the time, much which was
relatable to some degree. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Social
Work from the Marist College Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity
Program and continued her education at Arizona State University where she
earned her graduate degree. She is currently the Director of The First Year
Success Centrer at ASU.
By Ariel Velasquez
1
BROWN AND PROUD
On Monday, September 29th, the
Center for Multicultural Affairs sponsored the
Brown and Proud: Fifty Years On event. In
celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month the
non-for-profit theater ensemble, Will and
Company, performed a live 65 minute
presentation. The performance addressed the
inequity and discrimination of Latinos in
America, and also managed to shine light on the
success and triumphs of many Latino leaders
over the past 50 years. The show was performed
by three actors, who passionately highlighted
the lives of Latinos who have shaped
our country.
As the lights slowly began to dim in the
room, a short video was projected on the screen.
It was in that video where the audience was
able to see first-hand, the troubles of Latinos
in America. The show began with an elaborate illustration of the history of Latinos in America. In this video,
individuals were taken back over fifty years ago, where Latinos spent long hours picking cotton in the fields,
endured cruel beatings and segregation and were sprayed with pesticides in order to enter the United States.
The presentation transitioned smoothly from a video illustrating the history of Latinos in America, to an active
dialogue between the actors.
As a result of this transition, the performance was quickly geared toward addressing the current adversities
Latinos face today. There appeared to be one common question that was brought up several times during the
show and that is, “If this is how Latinos were treated over fifty years ago, how are we doing now as a nation?
The eyes of the audience began to bounce around the room, as if to look for an answer. However, the answer
was in the passion that the actors portrayed as they successfully addressed the ruthless stereotypes that Latinos
still face today. One actor stated, as she stared into the crowd with her eyes beaming fiercely, “We Latinos are
just depicted as criminals.” She continued, “And for us females… we are merely nothing more than just some
dumb, welfare dependent immigrants that can’t speak English.” Heads quickly began to nod in agreement,
implying that these over generalized ideas still exist in our society today .
The performance managed to incorporate compelling and accurate statistics as well. One of the male
actors expressed vehemently, “Latinos are two times more likely to be detained and three times more likely to
be incarcerated.” Another actor would comment shortly after, “Half of all Latina mothers have less than a high
school education.” These are just some of the many adversities that Latinos encounter today. Although many of
the issues concerning Latinos were addressed, the success of Latinos were also highlighted. Will and Company
did not hesitate to mention the impact of many Latino leaders such as Gustavo Garcia, the first Latino to argue
before the Supreme Court, who ultimately changed the law of America.
2
EVENTS:
Look for our events on posters around
campus, in your e-mail, in the Marist
Portal, or by visiting our Facebook at:
facebook.com/maristcollegecma
COMMEMORATIVE DAYS:
By the end of the night, the message of the
Brown and Proud event was quite clear.
Whether or not the inequality of Latinos in
society has improved over the last fifty years,
these stereotypes, preconceived ideas, and
injustices are ultimately harmful to the image
and self-esteem of Latinos in America.
Therefore, the overarcing purpose of the Brown
and Proud event was not only to raise
awareness, but to determine ways to overcome
these adversities and inequities. It goes
without being said, that the event was
successful in raising awareness and
empowering the Latino community. So if we
weren’t proud before, we are definitely
proud now.
By Darriel McBride (Guest Writer)
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/graduate-holding-baby-boy-high-res-stock-photography/86049498
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
September 1
September 11 September 21 September 24 -26 September 26 -28 September 29 October 2
October 3
October 4
October 4 - 6
October 9 -15
October 9
October 11
October 22
October 24
October 25
October 31
- Labor Day
- Patriot Day
- International Day of Peace
- Rosh Hashanah
- Family Weekend
- Brown & Proud Event
- Hajj (Start)
- Day of Araft
- Yom Kippur
- Eid ul Adha
- Sukkot
- Marisel Herrara Event
- Alumni Weekend
- National Nut Day
- United Nations Day
- Islamic New Year
- Halloween
COMING UP NEXT:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
November 2
November 4
November 11
November 27
November 28
November 28
December 1
December 7
December 17 - 24
December 24
December 25
December 26
December 31
January 1
January 3
January 6
January 7
January 14
January 19
- Daylight Savings Time Ends - Election Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Presidents’ Day
- Black Friday
- Cyber Monday
- Pearl Harbor Rememberance Day
- Chanukah/Hanukkah (Begins)
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- Kwanzaa (until Jan. 1)
- New Year’s Eve
- New Year’s Day
- The Prophet’s Birthday
- Epiphany
- Orthodox Christmas Day
- Orthodox New Year
- Martin Luther King Day
3
FAMOUS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
HELEN KELLER
(1880-1968) AMERICAN
POLITICAL ACTIVIST, AUTHOR,
LECTURER
• Deaf AND blind
• First person with such disabilities to earn a college degree
• Wrote twelve books
• Stood for women’s rights and labor rights
AMY PURDY
(1979-) AMERICAN
WORLD-CLASS SNOWBOARDER,
DANCER, AUTHOR, AND CO-FOUNDER
OF ADAPTIVE ACTION SPORTS
• Contracted bacterial meningitis at 15 – resulted in amputation of
both legs
• Finalist in Dancing With The Stars
• Olympian snowboarder
• Paralympic bronze medalist
• Created her own prosthetics that would allow her to
snowboard – resulted in opening the doors to others who wished to
take part in active sports, regardless of their disabilities
FRIDA KAHLO
(1907-1954) MEXICAN
ARTIST
• Contracted polio at six, had a misshapen leg, and was in a trolley
accident as a teen which resulted in a broken back – this led to her
needing a wheelchair.
• One of the most well-known artists during her time (often did
self-portraits)
• Had a complicated relationship with another artist – Diego Rivera
4
HAJJ, DAY OF ARAFAT, EID UL ADHA
For Muslims, the Hajj is a journey and evolution to Allah. Taking several days to complete, participants
usually have to complete the Hajj once in their lifetime. This practice is mandatory for all Muslims after reaching
their adulthood. After that, they are more than welcome to do it as many times as they wish. During the Hajj, all
people are equal and no one is looked down upon according to race or gender.
The Day of Arafat is the day when the Muslim community gives the Sermon at the Hajj. A male individual
takes the place of the Imom and speaks to the people. This is usually done in a large group. This is a day that occurs
during the period of the Hajj.
Eid Ul Adha is known as the day of Sacrifice. Muslim tradition believes Abraham was sacrificing Ishmael
which was another one of his children (who seemed to be the founder of the Muslim tribe) – unlike the story of
Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac. So on this day, the Muslim community sacrifice goats or lambs to remember
that sacrifice.
By Ariel Velasquez
Dr. Ross Enochs
http://www.al-islam.org/hajj-pilgrimage-dr-ali-shariati/introduction
http://content.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1865298,00.html
Spiritual Enrichment
Need a place where you can practice in peace?
There is an interfaith prayer and meditation room in the back of the
chapel which is open to any and all who wish to perform their practices.
There is a wall which offers you privacy.
Open M-F from 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
No need to contact anyone or sign up. Simply walk in.
5
COMING OUT
A group of Marist LGSA members at the Hudson
Valley LGBT Community Center Charity Walk.
Cari Hurley grew up in Buffalo, New York and is currently a freshman
Psychology and Childhood/ Special Education major at Marist. She is involved
with LGSA (Lesbian and Gay Straight Association), Teachers of Tomorrow, and The
Pines Nursing Home volunteer group through Campus Ministries. Her goals are
to become a Special Education teacher in a school setting and eventually serve on a
school board.
I Knew; She Knew
I always knew that I was different. No other female students wore rainbow suspenders, listened to The Doors,
or were infatuated with actress Megan Fox. And at my high school, it seemed no other female students were gay.
And with long hair and floral dresses, I didn’t feel that I was “gay enough.” It was excruciatingly awkward to
mention my sexuality among even my closest friends, let alone my parents! I was terrified to reveal my darkest
secret to the people I admired the most. I kept my friends away from my house, lest they let a “gay joke” slip out in
front of my mom. My freshman year of high school was one characterized by paranoia; surely, my family would
never be able to look at me the same way if they found out.
But one day, everything changed. I subtly signaled my friend over to my locker and shyly asked her to be
my girlfriend. After I recovered from shock when she said yes (imagine a little happy dance and a tear or two), I
realized that my mother would see my new relationship status on Facebook. That night, I paced back in forth in my
room. I imagined a painful conversation complete with tears and disappointed tones. The end of our relationship
was surely near. But I cannot live a life of lies, I thought. With my heart sinking faster and faster, I opened her
door quickly before I could back down. “Mom,” I squeaked, “I’m dating Melissa.” Before she could even respond,
I yanked the door shut and bolted for my room, hands shaking. Halfway there, I heard her call me back in.
Expecting the worst, I walked back as though it was my own funeral rather than my mom’s room. I gingerly
opened the door a crack and waited for the end of the world.
6
“Cari,” she said.
“What?”
“I know.”
I know. I know. Those two words were the most accepting two words I had ever heard. My mom wasn’t
disappointed in me. And to think that I had spent the last several months in such trepidation! Almost six years later,
as a college freshman, she told me that she had tried to “drop little hints” before bed about how she would support
any choices I made.
As I count down the days until National Coming Out Day, the annual celebration of LGBT rights and pride,
I cannot help remember my own “coming out” day. Though the day originated as the anniversary of the March
on Washington for gay rights, many people choose to “come out”, or reveal their sexuality, on this day. Although
mine took place in April rather than on October 11th, I still strongly empathize with any member of the LGBT
community that chooses to reveal their true rainbow colors at any point in their life, especially those who do not
have the support that I do. I ask you, kind reader, to be supportive to the Marist gay community on October 11th
and beyond. I now identify as bisexual and have had to reveal my sexuality three times: initially as lesbian,
secondly as bisexual, and now to the Marist College community. I am sure that many Red Foxes are in a
similar situation.
And besides, identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual, or similar orientation isn’t as easy as marching in
parades and going to gay bars; it is a daily struggle for so many people, even after “coming out.”
I hope that we can count on you to be our allies and to care for your LGBT classmates. No matter gay, straight,
or bi, I wish everyone a wonderful Coming Out Day.
By Cari Hurley (Guest Writer)
Need to talk to someone? Search for this symbol around
campus. It symbolizes a safe place to ask questions and talk.
LGSA
General Meetings are every other week on Wednesdays in
MU 3203 from 9:15pm - 10:00pm.
November 5th 2014
November 19th 2014
December 3rd 2014
For more information, go to:
http://clubs.marist.edu/lgsa/
7
ROSH HASHANAH & SUKKOT
Signifying the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah,
otherwise known as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (day of remembrance),
is the time for Jews to look back at any and all mistakes they’ve
made, and plan to make changes – much like Americans making
their New Year’s resolution.
During Rosh Hashanah, the members of the Jewish
community go to synagogue to take part in what is known as
the most important observance of this day – the blowing of the
Shofar. It is suggested that the sound of the Shofar is a call to
repentance. Another observance is the eating of apples dipped in
honey – symbolizing the wish for a sweet new year. And then a
third observance is casting out everything in one’s pocket into a
river (usually pieces of bread) – which symbolizes the ridding of
one’s sins.
During this time, one is not allowed to work and much of
the time is spent in synagogue.
Known as the Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of
Booths – it represents the time when Jews were wandering in
the desert for forty years (from about the period of 1300 BC to
1200 BC) before they crossed the Jordan and went into Israel.
During that time they would set up tents and live in them. This
was before they entered the land of Israel.
To celebrate, the Jews commemorate the time spent in the
desert by building little huts. For example: in New York City,
the orthodox Jews set up little huts made out of branches on a
balcony or terrace. Sometimes, they sleep in the huts. This is
traditional for the Jewish community.
Before their temple was destroyed around 66/70 AD, there
was a requirement for Sukkot. They had to travel to Jerusalem and live in the booths/tabernacles to have a sense of
unity. In addition, they commemorate the time they spent in the desert and express that that time is over because
they’ve come to and live in the land of Israel. So it’s the idea that God has been faithful to the covenant. That is one
of the primary ideas of the Feast of Booths. Again, traveling was an old obligation. It is no longer essential. The
Jewish community now symbolize by putting the booths up on their balcony.
It was also seen as a harvest festival. After the year was over, one would bring in their crops and share it with
others – it was a feast of charity. In the old days, it was a symbol of Jerusalem being the center of the ritual worship
that the Jews did. Even today, that is kind of what they’re looking to – they are setting up these booths to remember
that God brought them into the land of Israel and brought the covenant with them.
By Ariel Velasquez
8
Dr. Ross Enochs
https://www.google.com/search?q=suk&biw=1267&bih=736&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=wGFFVLTZE4PesATsoYLACw&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#tbm=isch&q=sukkot, http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday2.htm, http://interactive.wxxi.org/highlights/2014/08/live-temple-brith-kodesh-rosh-hashanah-celebration
http://rabbijuliaappel.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/rosh-hashanah-5774-the-cry-of-the-shofar/
CMA STAFF PROFILE
SIRAJ BAH
What is your job in the office?
Siraj Bah is a Counselor in the Center for Multicultural Affairs/ Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity
Program. In this role, Siraj’s responsibilities include the counseling of Center for Multicultural Affairs, Academic
Enrichment Program and Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program students in academic, financial and
social
matters as needed in an appropriate and sensitive manner, among other duties.
Siraj also leads Agents of Social Change, a male student group sponsored by the Center for Multicultural
Affairs. The mission of the group is to empower men of all backgrounds to be an agent of social change. In
addition, it aims to encourage them to strive for leadership, academic excellence and make a difference in their
perspective communities and campus.
What sparked your interest in HEOP?
Siraj is an Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program alumnus of the Sage College of Albany, and a
firm believer that education is the foundation to success, and by helping students reach their academic career goals
he is able to make a difference.
What is your availability for students?
His availabilities are Monday through Friday from 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. He also believes in an open-door
policy, so students can feel free to stop by if needed.
Where are you from?
Bronx, NY
Who or what inspires you?
His family, friends, and mentors inspire him to always believe in himself.
“ To sail on a dream, on a crystal clear ocean, To ride on the crest of the wild raging sea, To be true as the tide,
free as a winds well, joyful and loving in letting it be.” – John Denver
9
CMA AGENTS OF SOCIAL CHANGE
The Agents of Social Change is a group of male students from diverse backgrounds that find at least one
commonality in one another: being college men. The agents explore the complexities and dynamics of the college
experience through group conversations, guest speakers, and other activities. The mission of the group is to
empower men of all backgrounds to be an “agent of social change” and to encourage these men to strive for
leadership, academic excellence, and make a difference in their respective communities and campus. The purpose
of the seminars and workshops is to equip them with tools to become diverse leaders and to prepare them to enter
the global community of the twenty-first century.
The group is sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Affairs and meets bi-weekly on the second and fourth
Tuesday of every month unless otherwise announced. These meetings are made public at least one week in advance.
The ASC is currently working on the event below. For more information, please contact Siraj Bah at
Siraj.Bah@marist.edu.
10
For further information:
Contact the Marist College
Center for Multicultural Affairs
E-mail: multicultural@marist.edu
Facebook: www.facebook.com/maristcollegecma
Phone: (845) 575 3204
Fax: (845) 575 3195
www.marist.edu/academics/multicultural
Marist College
Center for Multicultural Affairs (CMA)
A Division of Student Academic Affairs
Cannavino Library Suite 337
Poughkeepsie, NY
12601-1387