3RD ANNUAL LATINO FESTIVAL

LE PROVOCATEUR: MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS ARTICLE #1

"After attending Assumption College for a near four years and serving on the ALANA Network the entire time both as a general member and an executive board member - I have come to realize that the majority of the students within the Assumption College Community lack a complete understanding of the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) and ALANA Network. Although many students at the college are familiar with some of the ALANA Network's annual events - most notably the All in the Mix Fashion Show - they are not fully aware of the work done within the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the ALANA Network.

I say this because, on countless occasions, I have heard students mistake the Office of Multicultural Affairs for the ALANA Network, and vice versa; I have encountered students who do not know what OMA or ALANA stands for; and I have met students who are oblivious to the fact that the ALANA Network exists. As the current President of the ALANA Network, as much as I wish the Office of Multicultural Affairs and ALANA Network were household names with the majority of the students at the college, the reality is that this is not the case. As a result, I feel obliged to clarify certain things. Allow me to reintroduce the Office of Multicultural Affairs and ALANA Network.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs here at Assumption College is dedicated to creating and sustaining an environment that encourages and embraces the contributions of people from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The Office of Multicultural Affairs works in conjunction with other departments to offer campus-wide programs on diversity-related issues, as well as advise and support the ALANA Network student group.

ALANA stands for African-Latino-Asian-Native-American. The ALANA Network is grounded in an understanding of diversity that includes people of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, races, nationalities, religions or spiritual traditions, and socio-economic classes. ALANA Network programs and services are specifically designed to reach out to, support and celebrate the students here on campus, as well as educate the entire Assumption College Community on diversity issues.

The paragraph above outlines the mission statement of the ALANA Network, which you will find written in bold yellow print on this year's ALANA Network poster, but, in summary, what we truly do is cross boundaries and build bridges. We cross boundaries by moving beyond ideas and practices that divide us as a campus such as stereotyping and discrimination in order to see people for who they truly are humans, the one attribute we all have in common. We build bridges by establishing strong connections and developing genuine, long-lasting relationships with our peers.

A common misconception is that the ALANA Network is strictly for minority students. If you are yet to hear otherwise, let me be the first to openly denounce this argument. Although the ALANA Network celebrates the students here on campus, we also foster cooperation and have a strong sense of community. The ALANA Network is a welcoming environment for all students here at Assumption College. It is important to note that diversity refers to a community of people who have identifiable differences in their backgrounds or lifestyles. Thus, when we speak of promoting diversity here at Assumption, we are referring to the entire Assumption College Community and not just a handful of the student body.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs and ALANA Network here at Assumption College play a big role in the experiences of many students. They both serve as resources to students, create a comfortable and welcoming environment for students and ultimately foster unity amongst the entire Assumption College Community. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Office of Multicultural Affairs and ALANA Network.

The ALANA Network meets every Thursday at 5:00 p.m. in the Student Activities Resource Room, located below Hagan Campus Center. We also have a number of events throughout this semester - our first being the Latino Festival on Thursday, October 1, 2009 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in Hagan Campus Center Hall. That being said, I encourage you to attend any of our general meetings or events. You are also welcome to stop by the Office of Multicultural Affairs located in Hagan Campus Center. Your presence is appreciated at all times."

Usen Esiet '10

President, ALANA Network

HISPANIA DANCE CO. PRESENTS... "CALL OF THE DRUMS"

Hispania Dance Company presents "Call of the Drums."

Date: Sunday, October 4, 2009

Venue: The Hanover Theatre, Worcester, MA
Time: 4:00-6:00PM
Ticket Cost: $20/$15 ($10 for students)

A concert that features the work of three local choreographers: Miguel Almestica (Afro-Caribbean), Lindiana Flores (Modern), Malenca del Mar (Flamenco) and a lively percussion of Call of the Drums/ Tambor.

Directed by Miguel Almestica.

For more information call (508) 770-1000 or go to www.thehanovertheatre.org

"THE FAMILY PLAN" - SHAPING AFGHANISTAN'S FUTURE

In war-torn Afghanistan, the Basij-Rasikhs family pursue their dreams and hope to make their native land a better place. Sixteen-year-old Marjeela Basij-Rasikh, who attends the Brooks school, and her nineteen-year-old sister Shabana Basij-Rasikhs, Middlebury College junior, set out their plans and goals for Afghanistan. Shabana Basij-Rasikhs, in her spare time, runs the nonprofit organization Hela (“hope’’ in their native Pashto), which is raising money to build a high school for girls in her ancestral village of Qalatik, in Laghman Province.

The Basij-Rasikhs, a family of six, realize the importance of education. Although their parents risked being punished and executed for sending the children to school, they believe in an education and hope with their efforts, Afghanistan will become safe again.

Click here to read the the Basij-Rasikhs family story courtesy of The Boston Globe.

iPHONE 3G [s] RAFFLE

Start Date: Thursday, September 17, 2009
End Date: Thursday, October 1, 2009*
Ticket Cost: $1.00
Location: Office of Multicultural Affairs (Located in Hagan Campus Center)

Come buy your tickets. The more tickets you buy, the higher your chances of winning!

*The winner of the iPhone raffle will be announced on Thursday, October 1, 2009 at the Latino Festival, which will be held in Hagan Campus Center Hall (across from the bookstore) from 6-8PM.

Click here to join the iPhone Raffle group on Facebook.

175 YARDS AND 4 TOUCHDOWNS: HERBERT WOODARD

"WORCESTER, Mass. --- Junior running back HERBERT WOODARD (Bridgeton, NJ/Salem) rushed 30 times for 175 yards and four touchdowns to lead Assumption College past the University of New Haven, 31-10, in a Northeast-10 Conference football game FRIDAY night at the Multi-SPort Stadium.

The Greyhounds are now 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference standings---the first time they have been 2-1 since 2006. New Haven is now 1-1 and 0-1.

On the other side New Haven sophomore quarterback RYAN OSIECKI (Seymour, CT/Seymour) completed 32-of-54 passes for 348 yards. Sophomore wide out SHARIEFF HALL (Brockton, MA/Brockton) caught 12 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown and added 75 yards in the return game to account for 209 yards of all-purpose yards.

The scoring starting quickly as both teams scored on their first possession.

The Greyhounds marched 63 yards in just three plays on the first series. Junior quarterback ANDREW KUPEC (Wyckoff, NJ/Indian Hills) (11-for-18, 136 yards) found junior wide receiver DAVID CANNEY (Templeton, MA/Narragansett) (4 receptions for 78 yards) on the first play for 28 yards and then Woodard rambled 10 and 25 yards for the score. Freshman CORY KEMPS (Carmel, IN/Carmel) kicked the conversion for a 7-0 lead."

CONGRATULATIONS HERBERT!

Click here for more.

"BEYOND ALL EXPECTATIONS"

Despite Dorchester's rich history, many Bostonians will probably warn visitors that it is no walk in the park. High crime rates - including drug and gun violence - are common in the streets of Dorchester, or “The Dot” as it is referred to by locals.

Taisha Sturdivant, a Junior at Brandeis University, and a native of Dorchester, shares her inspiring success story. Living in a city where failure is expected and college is largely a fantasy, Ms. Sturdivant found people who believed in her and taught her that with hard work and determination anything is possible.

Click here to read Taisha Sturdivant’s story courtesy of The Boston Globe.

PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL

“Pray the Devil Back to Hell” is a documentary on the women of Liberia, Muslim and Christians, and how they came together to encourage peace in Liberia. These courageous women, with the help of fellow country woman Leymah Gbowee, wore all white garments and made it clear they wanted an end to the civil war in Liberia.

The different religions prayed together and silently protested in front of the Presidential Palace forcing a nonviolent resolution to the problem. “Inspiring, uplifting, and most of all motivating, it is a compelling testimony of how grassroots activism can alter the history of nations.” (praythedevilbacktohell.com). These ordinary women made extraordinary accomplishments by working together and promoting human life.

The Sociology-Anthropology Department will present this moving film on

Monday, September 21 (UN World Peace Day), at 7:00PM in the Kennedy 112, Alden Trust Auditorium.

Take a look at the movie trailer below:

REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

Yesterday was a sad day for many, but we must never forget hope is always alive. Eight years ago yesterday, tragedy struck our country but, still UNITED WE STAND.

Boston.com has posted, on their site, some pictures of September 11. 2001 and September 11,2009 at ground zero. The pictures show HOPE is alive and nothing can change that.

Click here to see the pictures. Gone but not forgotten Septemeber 11, 2001.

O.M.A & ALANA NETWORK TABLE AT THE CLUB FAIR

Do not forget to come check out the ALANA Network's table at the Assumption College Club Fair on September 3, 2009 from 4:00-7:00PM in the Plourde Recreation Center.

Join the ALANA Network and get some cool freebies. See you there!

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE ALANA NETWORK WELCOME BACK COOKOUT

The ALANA network is inviting you to our annual welcome back cookout at Dean Robert Ravenelle's house (behind the village lot) on September 3, 2009 from 5:00-7:00PM.

Erin Muschette, Member at Large of the ALANA Network, will meet people in front of the Office of Multicultural Affairs in Charlie's at 5:00PM to bring them over to the cookout.

For any additional information, stop by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.