2015-16 Diversity Events
National Coming Out Day. On Monday October 12th the Unity Council and the Gay-Straight Alliance will celebrate National Coming Out Day on the Cal Maritime campus. After formation, pledge your support for the LGBT community and receive a Rainbow Delegation bracelet (proceeds benefiting LGBT charity organizations). "Wearing a bracelet tells those around you that you don't support homophobic jokes or slurs and that you are a safe person to talk to".
Human Rights Campaign Celebrates National Coming Out Day 2015
Safezone Training. Date time, and location TBA
For More Information.
http://www.lgbthistorymonth.com/
Events
Grito de Dolores (Mexican Independence Day) September 16th, Wednesday. Enjoy Mexican cuisine in the Dining Center
Invited Speaker: September 17th, Thursday, 11am-12noon, Peachman. Guest Speaker Chris Edwards from the SF Maritime Museum presented on the orginis of maritime exploration of California in his talk: The Story of Cabrillo and his venture into the unknown of Alta California.
Dramatic Presentation: September 23rd, Wednesday, 7:30-9pm, Rizza Auditorium. Participate in an interactive dramatic program called Strange Like Me that explores race, gender, and sexuality in college students. ELDP credit for 3Cs – Racial/Gender/Cultural Discrimination Prevention
Latin Night (music and dancing): October 7th, Wednesday, 530-7pm, Mayo Hall
Movie and Discussion: October 13th, Tuesday, 6-8pm, Peachman. Documentary and Panel Discussion about the film Harvest of Empire: The Untold Story of Latinos in America. ELDP credit for 3Cs – Racial/Gender/Cultural Discrimination Prevention
Celebrating Central and South American cuisine in the Dining Center
Throughout the month, Dining Services will offer cuisine from Central and South America in the Dining Center, paired with educational programming about the respective cultures during the following scheduled times.
Wednesday September 16th, lunch – Mexican fiesta to honor Mexican Independence Day.
Thursday September 24th, dinner – Cuisine TBD (see below)
Wednesday September 30th, lunch –Cuisine TBD (see below)
Monday October 5th, dinner – Cuisine TBD (see below)
Monday October 12th, lunch – Cuisine TBD (see below)
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico
Resources
Books.
Galeano, Edurado (1971). Open Veins of Latin America.
Movies.
El Norte - Mayan Indian peasants are tired of being thought of as nothing more than manual laborers. They organize an effort to improve their lot in life, but are discovered by the Guatemalan army. After the army destroys their village and family, Enrique and Rosa, a teenage brother and sister, who barely escaped the massacre, decide they must flee to United States. After receiving clandestine help from friends and humorous advice from a veteran immigrant on strategies for traveling, they make their way by truck, bus and other means to Los Angeles, where they try to make a new life as young, uneducated, and illegal immigrants.
Latino Americans: The 500-year legacy that shaped a nation - Latino Americans chronicles the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos, who have for the past 500-plus years helped shape what is today the United States. It is a story of people, politics, and culture, intersecting with much that is central to the history of the United States while also going to places where standard U.S. histories do not tend to tread.
Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project No. 1 Redes - This vivid, documentary-like dramatization of the daily grind of men struggling to make a living by fishing on the Gulf of Mexico (mostly played by real-life fishermen), one worker's terrible loss instigates a political awakening among him and his fellow laborers.
Events
Music and Invited Speaker: On Wednesday February 24th from 6-8:30pm in Rizza Auditorium our celebration of Black History Month culminated with an ensemble of musicians and artists including John Ramas Ann'al (Entertainer, Guitarist, Keyboardist), Shannon Lacy (Entertainer, Percussionist), and the Women's Choir of Good Samaritan Missionary Baptist Church in Vallejo. Also, invited speaker Captain Donald H. Flowers, USN (RET) shared his personal experiences of perseverance in his presentation entitled, Ascending Through Perseverance. Thank you to all who attended the event and thank you to those who made it happen including Dining Services, AV staff, Facilities, and members of the Unity Council Subcommittee.
Dining Center Events: African American Cuisine was served for lunch throughout the month, including Afro-Caribbean, Mardi Gras celebration, Ethiopian, and Soul Food.
Movie and Discussion: On Sunday February 21st at 5:30pm in Rizza, ASCMA and the Unity Council showed the film 42, the story of Jackie Robinson (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0453562/). Following the showing a panel discussion with moviegoers was held where topics of black history and contemporary relevance were discussed.
Captain Robert Cook, President of the Organization of Black Maritime Graduates, Inc., visits Cal Maritime
On January 25, 2016 the Unity Council welcomed Captain Robert Cook to campus. As a student at SUNY Maritime, Captain Cook formed a student group that would later develop into the Organization of Black Maritime Graduates (OBMG). Following graduation and work in the industry, Captain Cook was one of the founding members, and president, of OBMG. His organization has provided support to maritime students and graduates for over 20 years, including to Cal Maritime students and graduates in the form of financial support, professional networking, and social support. During his visit, members of the Unity Council and current students listened to Captain Cook's experience and wisdom as well as engaged in active discussions about how to improve diversity and equity at Cal Maritime. On behalf of the Cal Maritime community, the Unity Council is grateful to Captain Robert Cook (and OBMG) for his leadership on diversity in the maritime industry and for helping support Cal Maritime's growth and development toward becoming a more inclusive multicultural community.
Pictured above from left to right: Cadet Cory Horton, Captain Robert Cook, and Dr. Ian Wallace
Unity Council members, students, and Captain Robert Cook (center)
African American History Month Web sites
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month
http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/
African Americans and Maritime History
African American History - San Francisco Maritime
Organization of Black Maritime Graduates, Inc (OBMG)
African American Documentary Films (lists)
10 must watch Black History Documentary Films (PBS)
Wikipedia list of African American Documentary Films
African American News Outlets
Unity Council Celebrates Women's History Month with #WeAreCalMaritime
The Unity Council and Academic Senate proudly hosted Sylvia Mendez March 21 and 22 as part of the Rizza Lecture Series
Ms. Mendez spoke of her role in the desegregation of California public scchools, specifically in Orange County in 1947 when she was in the 3rd grade. Approximately 75 students, staff, faculty, administrators, and community members were present for her invited talk on March 22 at 11am in the Dining Center. Following her presentation, lunch was served and a lively discussion about race relations and diversity on campus and in the commuinity was held. Participants enjoyed the opportunity to interact with an American hero in an intimate and personal setting, which allowed Ms. Mendez to share her vibrant personality and enthusiasm for meeting with others, especially students. We thank her for her graciousness and continued committment to integration for current and future students in California and beyond. Below are pictures from the event. If you are interested in getting involved with the Unity Council at Cal Maritime please email us at unitycouncil@csum.edu
Sylvia Mendez is the daughter of Gonzalo Mendez, a Mexican immigrant and Felicitas Mendez, a Puerto Rican immigrant, who fought so that Sylvia could have an equal education through the landmark court case battle of Mendez v. Westminster, et al.
In 1943, students of Mexican descent were required to enroll in separate schools from Caucasian children. When Sylvia was in third grade, she and her siblings were denied admission to the segregated, white school" near their Orange County home. The Mendez family fought back. Their 1947 victory desegregated public schools in California and became an example for broader decisions, such as the Brown v Board of education.
Sylvia Mendez's sole intent is to convey the importance of obtaining an education by encouraging students to stay in school and continue their education (Source).
To watch Mendez vs Westminster: For All the Children / Para Todos Los Ninos (Documentary film, 27 minutes) go to: http://www.screencast.com/t/bvJyVcH5
Related news and information
NPR piece: Before 'Brown V. Board,' Mendez Fought California's Segregated Schools