ALL IN THE MIX: The ALANA Network Blog

Multicultural Day

2012-01-24T14:39:00.000-05:00

Millennium Leadership Conference

2011-12-07T19:26:00.001-05:00

As a freshman, I was highlyimpressed by my first leadership conference at Clark University. The main focusof the event was striving to become tomorrow’s leaders. One of the workshops that I attended was “Whatyou need to know to become tomorrow’s leader today!” The session expressed that leaders are crazyenough to believe that they are able change the world despite what they do oraccomplish. Leaders must be able toadapt to their environments and the modifications of them. Listening to consumers is a vital aspect ofleadership because they need to be able to serve their desires. Leaders use their emotions to move people andinspire them to strive to follow their example. Leaders are more importantly, not afraid of failure. If one fails once and decides not to try orpursue their goal again, then they will resign at the same position of lifethat they failed in and will never progress.

There were a few wonderfulmotivational speakers who spoke at the conference. Domingo Guyton, from Boston Ma, discussed hishardships growing up, to his success in popular music, to his success in gospelmusic and expressing that we must be positive role models. Then Joshua Fredenburg, who is anentrepreneur and author, preached that leaders must evaluate themselves andtheir responsibilities. I have met manynew people and fellowshipped with the people I already knew in many ways. I felt honored to attend my firstconference. The millennium leadershipconference was an excellent and fulfilling experience, which is highlyrecommended.

- Brandon Lee

OMA on the Importance of Reading

2011-12-01T20:47:00.001-05:00

Like many 20-year-old college students, procrastination is an addiction, a hard habit to kick to the curb. In the midst of our procrastination high, Facebook may be a recurring side affect.

As I was procrastinating and spending time on my Facebook page, I came across someone's bio that read, "I do not like to read." And although it wasn't a shock to me, I found myself thinking intently about the very notion of reading and it reminded me of a quote I read in Malcolm X's autobiography: "Where else but in prison could I have attacked my ignorance by being able to study intensely sometimes as much as fifteen hours a day?"

Malcolm X studied by reading many books. He said that reading [books] was the best way to attack his own ignorance. In the college community, I found through experience that not many people are willing to pick up a book.

Of course, many classes require students to read, but who does that anymore? It is a commonality for students to ignore required texts in favor of a much more addictive form of reading and writing, such as Facebook and Twitter.

I'm not saying that these social media outlets aren't good resources, because as witnessed in Egypt, they were the main contributors to a revolution. I am more concerned with books and why students leave them to collect dust on unattended shelves.

I remember reading an article one day written by Marc Lamont Hill, an associate professor of education at Columbia University, in which he said, "Sadly, it seems that the next generation won't have...a lifelong connection tobooks...because books matter less and less in our society." He also went on to say, "The problem isn't the death of reading, it's the death of books. And book culture."

This is exactly what I've witnessed as a college student. It seems as if reading books is a dying culture that is being taken over by a technology that is the Internet.

Instead of waking up and reading a book, we wake up and check Facebook. As for me, I wake up and check my Twitter feed (which I find as a great source for information, opinions etc.). So, as I try and break away from this generational norm, I encourage others to do the same.

Even if you don't want to read books for the sake of learning and knowledge, think about what my good friend Dr. Seuss once said: "The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

- Trae Alston-Swan

OMA Encourages Students To Branch Out!

2011-11-28T20:35:00.001-05:00

As I was sitting in the Office of Multicultural Affairs thinking about what to write, it dawned on me that this is my first year being a student leader. I had a similar track record in high school; I only became involved on campus during my last two years there and here I am, following the same pattern.

With the limited time I have left here at Assumption, I try the best I can to make the most of the opportunities I am presented. What if I had started becoming involved earlier? Would I have made a bigger impact on what happens on campus? Questions like these cross my mind every so often, but I do not let them rule me because what matters is what I can do now in order to bring about a better tomorrow.

From my experience here at Assumption, I can use what I have learned to educate first-year students who are trying to find their niches on campus. What I would suggest is to find something you enjoy doing and figure out how you can tie it into campus life. If you enjoy what different cultures and ethnicities have to offer on campus or life in general and you want to promote awareness about the diverse cultures of the world, consider joining the African Latino Asian Native-American Network. If you loved participating in student government in high school or want to have a say in what the campus has to offer to students, consider joining the Student Government Association or the Campus Activities Board. If you enjoy helping others and making a difference in the lives of others, the Reach Out Center might just be the place for you. There are clubs and groups for just about anything you wish to pursue on campus and all you need to do is look for them. I know it is not the easiest thing to do, given that the period of adjustment varies with each student, but starting the process early will give you a head start on figuring out what you enjoy doing.

Being a student leader has so far been a rewarding experience. I have learned a great deal from interacting with my peers and interacting with other administrators on campus. This interaction amongst peers goes to another aspect of getting involved on campus: networking and connections. You never know how the people you interact with from different organizations can help you through the people they know. Networking is key in any kind of environment, whether it is work or academic. Collaboration between organizations is also a must if you want to be able to pull off large-scale events or promote your organization. That comes though once you actually begin participating in organizations on campus. In closing, the best way to make an impact on campus is to participate because the idle can only watch things happen, while those who act can make things happen.

_ Freymers Beaubrun

Multicultural Day a Celebration for All

2011-11-28T20:09:00.001-05:00

We are all defined by certain characteristics, which compose us, gender, personality, weight, height, ethnicity etc. These characteristics in turn make each and everyone of us an individual. Multicultural Day is a time to embrace these differences but yet to be aware, as well as open minded to learn about other cultures.

On February 1st you will have the chance to leave the Assumption Campus and travel the world, by simply visiting the offices in the Hagan Campus Center. Each office will become a different region in the world and specifically represent a few countries within that offices region. You will be able to attain adequate knowledge through facts regarding the randomly selected countries.

There will also be a showcase of various countries from six to eight in the Hagan Campus Center Hall. Tables will be set up with artifacts, photos, books, music, dishes and many other things that are being provided by Assumption College students. This experience only comes around once a year, and it is great to honor not only your culture but also other cultures being represented by the Assumption College community.

From the perspective of a bi-racial student, Multicultural Day is essential to have. It is a time in which everyone can feel special, because it encompasses every culture, therefore no one is secluded or marginalized by a certain aspect that makes them who they are. It is a day to celebrate our own uniqueness by being proud of what we are, to not be classified and bound to a particular category, but to embrace and appreciate all sides of who we are.

Being of Native American descent I would like to close with a quote from Chief Seattle, who was leader of the Duwamish tribe, which resided in Washington. “Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to acquire a better understanding of the world, in turn boosting your self-awareness.

- Joanna Silva- Jones

ALANA Promotes Bullying Awareness

2011-11-02T19:27:00.002-04:00

Spreading Latino Culture at Assumption.

2011-10-04T22:05:00.000-04:00

As I take one stepfurther with my dance partner, I see the reflection in the mirror of a Latina studentleader that I have become. While dancing to “Te Extraño” by Xtreme, a bachatagroup, I release the stress of the many tasks I have to complete after thisrehearsal. As a sophomore, at AssumptionCollege, I have grown to come out of my shyness and take on a greaterleadership position. I am Secretary for the ALANA Network. As an Ecuadorian onthe Executive Board, I have the responsibility to promote Latino/Hispanicculture to the Assumption College community.

I was born andraised in Harlem, New York. Harlem is a place full of diversity, where no oneis ashamed to express themselves. I came to Assumption College with a backgroundin diversity. In my freshman year, I would blast to bachata, merengue, salsa,reggaeton, cumbia, etc. in my room in Desautels Hall. I had no shame to leavemy door open because I wanted the girls on my floor to hear it. Yes, there weremurmurs but that did not stop me. I decided to join ALANA so I can be able toexpress my culture. I was welcomed with open arms.

As a freshman, Ihad many ideas to promote Latino/Hispanic culture to the Assumption Collegecommunity. However, as a freshman, I was lazy to take that role. Second semestercame and I decided to run for the Secretary position. Over the summer, Ibrainstormed how to bring awareness of the Latino/Hispanic culture on campus.

One of ALANA’sannual events is the Latino Festival. I came back to college prepared and readyto start planning. The Latino Festival is an evening to celebrate HispanicHeritage Month. I am very excited for this event because I love my culture andthis is a great opportunity for students at Assumption College to learn aboutthe Latino/Hispanic Culture.

Food will be cateredby various Latino restaurants in Worcester; there will be live performances byAssumption College students, a live band and fun facts from each Latin Americancountry. According to USA Today, did you know that by the year 2050, the Latino/Hispanicpopulation will triple! Meaning that one out of four people will come from aLatino/Hispanic descent. Bring your friends and be prepared to travel to SouthAmerican, Central America and the Caribbean’s.

Mydance partner and I nailed one third of our bachata performance but we stillhave two more songs to dance to. Dancing bachata, merengue and salsa makes mefeel as if I was back home in New York City. I see how happy the other threecouples get when we are practicing and on the day of the Latino Festival thatdedication will show. You do not want to miss the Latino Festival on Thursday,October 13, 2011 from 6 P.M to 8 P.M at Hagan Campus Center Hall. ¡Que vivan los Latinos(a)/Hispanos(a)!

Daisy Sinchi ‘14

Secretary, ALANA Network

LATINO FESTIVAL

2011-09-30T14:40:00.002-04:00

Office of Multicultural Affairs Talks Diversity

2011-09-22T21:33:00.000-04:00

I enjoy people watching. While some might find this a bit strange, I, being a psychology major, actually think it’s a great way to pass time and it also gives me a chance to learn a lot. Human beings are very complex, and although we will never get to know who someone really is unless we talk to them, we can learn a lot by just observing our surroundings, and how they behave in them. For example, I’ve learned that I know more left handed people than I thought. I’ve also observed that there are so many different ways one can hold a pencil. I am able to pick up on a person’s favorite color, if they cross their legs while talking, or if they have certain comforting mannerisms they do without even realizing. Little things like that actually make up a person. If I can learn all that just by watching a person, imagine how much I can learn by striking a conversation!

Over the summer, I was talking to a friend about a whole lot of nothing, but from that conversation alone we learned so much about each other in just twenty minutes. We learned things that may have seemed small, but they were essentially a huge part of us. Not only that, but because of that conversation we learned one important thing, “I’m not the only one who does this!” So, while I found many difference between us, it was good to find some similarities as well.

I can only imagine how many differences there must be on this campus, how many lefties are there, how many people come from small families, how many come from big ones. How many people wear glasses that actually need them, how many wear contacts instead? How many people don’t wear or need glasses at all. How many different hair types there are, how about eye colors, or shoes sizes? I often wonder who was brought up with strict parents and who had more democratic parents? Do you ever take the time to find out the values you share with your friends? Are there any values that you or your friends see completely different? Partaking in a classroom discussion shows me how many people have disabilities, how many people are only children, how many people come from working class families, even. Think about how DIVERSE this campus really is. Many people have this misconception of diversity, and only think of ‘big pictures’ such as race, religion, and/or sexual orientation, and that doesn’t even begin to cover what diversity is. If you take the time to observe people or even have a conversation about nothing among your circle of friends, not only will you notice that there’s more to your circle than your common interests (which I would assume bonds you), but you’ll truly appreciate who you are and appreciate the differences you see around you. So, go ahead and embrace diversity, you’ll be glad you did.

- Isabelle Biennestin

9th Annual Step and Dance Competition April 9th 1-4 P.M. $3 Admission Fee (Assumption Students Free)

2011-03-30T18:19:00.008-04:00

What is Privilege?

2011-03-20T21:02:00.002-04:00

“White Privilege is the other side of racism. Unless we name it, we are in danger of wallowing in guilt or moral outrage with no idea of how to move beyond them. It is often easier to deplore racism and its effects than to take responsibility for the privileges some of us receive as a result of it… once we understand how white privilege operates, we can begin addressing it on an individual and institutional basis.” ~Paula Rothenberg

“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

Indirect Intercultural Communication By:Tyler Alston-Swan

2011-03-18T16:10:00.003-04:00

Being able to really seek knowledge and understand how people from different cultures act, communicate, and perceive the world around them is more than less, very important. Being able to come to a mutual understood meaning between any intercultural encounter is the object of communication, effective communication. I come from Puerto Rican and African American descent but in relation to this article, I am first, a STUDENT of this liberal arts institution. I am second, a student of color.

I am growing weary of this back and forth indirect communication between the “majority” and the “minority”. All it does is cause tension between certain groups on campus, I feel it and so do you. In-person intercultural communication is the most effective way to suspend any misperceptions towards cultures and/or ethnic heritages that differ from your own. Deep in-person dialogue between the “majority” and the “minority” is the only TRUE dialogue that will draw a significant connection between this mindless and ignorant gap between us, on both ends. Liberal arts; free to chose, free to be, but not free from mental segregation. This mindset of not wanting to step outside our cultural boundaries and being afraid to sway and linger from our in-groups isn’t progressive. If anything, we will only continue to bind ourselves tightly to what we know as “comfortable”, until the bind is too tight: until the subtle damage that has progressed over time is too great to reverse or mend.

Many of us are familiar with the term, “don’t talk about it, be about it”. This institution takes pride in our students; we take pride in our faculty. We take pride in what we as a catholic institution has accomplished over the years! Now it’s sincerely time to take pride in the cultural diversity WE have created. It’s time to stop talking about what we should do, but what we can do to diminish or shrink the gap between our white and minority students. It’s time to BE who we say we are. “Our Catholic identity also challenges us to create a campus culture that respects the dignity of each member of this community because all of us are created in the image and likeness of God.” These are the very words from Assumption’s President, Dr. Cesareo. Are you up for the challenge?

Assumption's 6th Annual Fashion Show!!!

2011-02-15T18:46:00.015-05:00

Thursday March, 24th

6-8 P.M.

Laska Gymnasium

Multicultural Day

2010-11-02T16:50:00.001-04:00

Black voters’ enthusiasm may be waning -Boston Herald

2010-11-02T16:45:00.003-04:00

By Jessica Fargen

Black and minority voters cheered rapturously yesterday at Barack Obama’s appearance in Boston, but many are worried about whether the excitement that came with the president’s historic election still exists — and what that means for Democratic turnout.

“There’s more enthusiasm when you have the opportunity to elect a trailblazer, the first black governor, the first black president. The second time around it’s always going to be more difficult,” said James Jennings, professor of urban policy and planning at Tufts University. “The issue this time is how many black voters actually show up.”

Obama spoke to a huge crowd at the Hynes Convention Center yesterday at a rally for Gov. Deval Patrick, who in 2006 was the country’s second elected black governor.

The Massachusetts governor’s race is one of 14 competitive governor’s races in the country where the black vote will play a significant role, according to a report released Thursday by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, an African-American think tank in Washington, D.C.

David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, which released a poll last week showing Patrick has a 7 point lead over Republican Charlie Baker,expects minority voter turnout to be lower here and across the country.

“The general consensus is that African-American participation will be lower in intensity, which is why you are seeing Barack Obama and a concerted effort to motivate minority voter participation in November,’’ he said. During the last mid-term elections in 2006, when Patrick was elected, national black voter turnout was 47 percent, up from 44 percent in the previous midterms in 2002, according to the Joint Center. Black voter turnout was 64 percent in 2008, when Obama was elected. Voter turnouts are typically higher for presidential elections than the mid-terms.

“There’s kind of a question mark as to what will the degree of mobilization will be’’ in the black community this year, agreed Avi Green, executive director of MassVOTE. “To what degree will there be sermons coming down at churches about the importance of voting and community leaders really getting out there?’’

Mobilization will depend on Patrick’s field organization in minority areas, which Green believes is as strong as in 2006. Minority voters typically vote Democratic if they go to polls, he said. “Every Democratic campaign has to make the sale, or folks will stay home,’’ he said.

Despite Obama’s sinking approval ratings, there’s little doubt that his appearance will be a boost for Patrick among minority voters, said David A. Bositis, senior political analyst at the Joint Center. “The president is enormously popular with African Americans. To the degree that he needs help, Obama’s appearance will be very much a plus.”

And many voters are keenly aware of what the election means to them, said Darnell Williams, executive director of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. “The issues that were pertinent in 2006 are completely different than issues that are on people’s radar screens now,’’ he said. “When I think about where the economy, jobs, certainty of the future, enthusiasm is not the right word. People have a heightened awareness of what the governor’s race means to them.” Clayton Turnbull, 53, an African American businessman from Boston who hosted a fund raiser for Patrick this year, agreed id the energy is there. “So many people registered to vote, so many people came out for what they wanted. They are going to keep voting, you just don’t turn that around very quickly,’’ he said. d. “I’m optimistic and confident about the population of color and their enthusiasm and their increased enthusiasm.’’

This year, voters will have to be drawn to the polls by more than the promise of making history.

“I don’t think it’s the same as, ‘We are going to have the first black governor. We are going to have the first black president.’ No — that enthusiasm is not there,’’ said Charles Clemons, who co-owns Roxbury radio station TOUCH 106.1 FM. “What’s there now is that, ‘OK, we have elected these men to office and now it’s time for us to support these men because they can’t do it by themselves.’ ”

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view.bg?articleid=1289388

¡Latino Festival!

2010-09-22T13:51:00.013-04:00

The Latino Festival has been brought to Assumption College to encompass the Latino heritage. To give our students and faculty a vibe of Latino culture, which will hopefully enrich their perspectives and broaden the horizon of cultural competence. There will be a variety of Latino foods and cultural artifacts that anyone will be able to view and try. A Latino band will be performing live throughout the evening to indulge us in their spirit of music. Students who attend will also be entered in a raffle with over $100 worth of gift cards, as well as a few other prizes. We WELCOME all to attend and enjoy the evening with the ALANA Network, October 14th, 2010 Hagan Campus Center's Ball Room.

International Connection

2010-08-01T20:17:00.007-04:00

The goal of the International Connection is to promote and enhance international awareness, cooperation, cultural diversity, and dialogue among international students and the rest of the Assumption College and local communities.

The group meets every week in the Hagan Campus Center - Downstairs in the Student Activities Room.

Passport to the World of Women

2010-08-01T15:29:00.013-04:00

The Passport to the World of Women is a program developed by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Women's Studies Program. It is structured to expose students to different issues that women face around the world. Each student will be instructed to pick up their passport from the Multicultural Affairs or the Women's Studies department. There will be events in the fall and spring. A student is required to attend the events. At the end of the program a dinner will be given to celebrate and recognize women of distinction.

Please contact: Brenda Safford at brsafford@assumption.edu or

508-767-7100.

W.I.N.G.S.

2010-07-25T21:16:00.019-04:00

Welcome Freshmen (Ladies)

The women of WINGS would like to welcome you and invite you to an ice cream social on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in the LLC basement. We encourgage you to join us and have fun! Come and enjoy some ice cream and network with other women of color at Assumption.

W.I.N.G.S. (Women in need of Guidance and Support)helps young women of color navigate successfully, academically, and socially in the college environment by providing guidance and support through open lines of communication amongst group participants and facilitators. The hope is that skills and topics of focus will assist in the overall development of each individual woman, as well as, provide long-lasting knowledge that will support the transition to life beyond the undergraduate career.

For more informaiton please contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs at: brsafford@assumption.edu or 508-767-7100.

ATTENTION! All ALANA Students

2010-07-25T20:57:00.041-04:00

You are invited to the:
4th Annual ALANA Welcome Back Cookout

When: Sunday, September 12, 2010 Time: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Clark University

The ALANA Consortium is scheduled to have its 4rd Annual Back to School Cookout on Sunday, September 12, 2010 hosted by Clark University. The cookout offers the opportunity for all of the ALANA students in the consortium to network. Transportation will be provided. Please contact Office of Multicultural Affairs for more information at: brsafford@assumption or 508-767-7100.

CONFRONTING RACISM

2010-03-12T10:48:00.002-05:00

Confronting racism is not exactly the easiest thing to do, especially when you come face-to-face with someone who has no regard for your cultural or ethnic values. Nevertheless, in such situations it is important to remain calm, think logically, and find common ground.

In a recent article in Yes! Magazine, Pramila Jayapal, founder and Executive Director of OneAmerica, a national immigration-advocacy group, talks about her experience going face-to-face with right-wing talk-show hosts. Although her suggestions for confronting racism should not be regarded as a panacea, she makes some valid points.

Click here to read the article.

"WISDOM OR LOVE?" THE CHOICE IS YOURS.

2010-02-07T20:47:00.003-05:00

In the most recent issue of the Assumption College student newspaper, Le Provocateur, Assistant Professor of Special Education, Dr. Nanho Vander Hart, Ph.D., examines the American and Korean cultures.

Click here to read this insightful article and join Prof. Vander Hart in celebrating these two cultures.

OFFICE OF MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS ARTICLE

2010-02-07T20:13:00.007-05:00

Spring 2010

Le Provocateur, Issue #1

"Risks of Reckless Stereotyping"

Since the end of the fall semester, I had been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to write this article because I knew it would be my final article to appear in the Multicultural Affairs section of Le Provocateur. At the start of the holidays, I made the decision to use this article as an opportunity to reflect on my undergraduate experience here at Assumption; an experience that has been nothing short of fulfilling. I intended to touch on key parts of my experience here at Assumption where I had made progress in both my personal and leadership development, with the hopes of ending the article with a personal message to some of the students, asking them to take advantage of the opportunities available to them here at Assumption. On Friday, December 25, 2009 that idea for this article was immediately thrown out the window.

Sitting in the living room of my uncle's apartment in Falls Church, Virginia, barely a week after my mum had arrived from Nigeria to spend the holidays with my brother and I, my world was turned on its head as I heard the news of the attempted terror attack aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit. My heart sunk once I heard that the suspect was a Nigerian national. A mixture of sadness and disappointment ran through me as more details of the incident on Flight 253 were revealed. It was on that December morning that I decided to use this article as an avenue to express some of my thoughts on the incident on Flight 253.

Nigeria is a country with an extensive history and rich culture. This is a country with more than 250 ethnic groups and where over 500 languages are spoken. Beyond its culture, with its abundant supply of natural resources, Nigeria boasts a thriving economy and has been cited as one of the "Next Eleven" - countries identified as having a high potential of becoming the world's largest economies in the 21st century. Nigeria has given birth to the likes of Wole Soyinka, the first African Nobel Laureate in Literature and Chinua Achebe, the father of modern African writing. For these reasons and many more, I am proud to be Nigerian. Nevertheless, all of my pride is still unable to blanket the infamous name Nigeria has created for itself on the international scene.

Nigerians are often associated with being famous for corruption, particularly e-mail fraud, and movies such as District 9 have only served to promote this stereotype by negatively depicting Nigerians as criminals and cannibals. As of December 25, 2009, because of the actions of one man, Nigeria is now identified with terrorism, as proven by our recent addition to the Transportation Security Administration's "countries of interest" list. Nigerians, both within and outside the country, have protested our addition to this list, including former federal capital territory minister Nasir El-Rufai. In a letter to President Barack Obama, El-Rufai expressed, among other things, "profound sadness and distress" on behalf of all Nigerians for the incident on Flight 253. His letter was an attempt to start repairing Nigeria's international relationship with the United States; a relationship which I recognize one letter will not salvage.

I am in no way concerned with the political ramifications of the incident on Flight 253, rather I am concerned with the plight of Nigerians following that incident. Because of the attempted terror attack aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253, Nigerians will inevitably be stereotyped as terrorists or simply "bad people," none of which sit well with me. Another Nigerian who was on the same Northwest Airlines flight couldn't have said it better when he said, "if you are Nigerian, and you are Muslim and your name is Abdul, then what people will think about is - the bomber." I recognize that it is impossible for me to control the perceptions of Nigerians across the globe even if I tried, but the least I can do is to try to shed some light on what impact the incident on Flight 253 will have on the everyday Nigerian.

I would like to ask that you take the time to reason with me for a moment. I would like to ask that you look at this situation from a different point of view, maybe not necessarily my perspective, but that of the average Nigerian. What happens now to the student whose sole goal is to attain the best education available, but has thwarted dreams of studying at an American college or university? What happens now to the father or mother whose children lives in the United States, but runs the risk of not being able to see them again? What happens now?

You might argue that you would never stereotype or profile a Nigerian, but simply because you have made that personal choice doesn't guarantee that the next person will do the same. We have to accept the fact there are people who will engage in reckless stereotyping, but I am asking that you not be such a person or condone any stereotypical behavior. Does an entire ethnic group, nation or continent have to pay for the actions of one individual?

I would like to clarify that this is in no way an attempt to justify the irrational and unjust actions of the individual who attempted to destroy Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit. His attempt to destroy the plane would have denied 290 people of their fundamental human right to life and I am incapable of excusing such a heinous act. All I am asking is that we treat every Nigerian we meet with the same love and understanding that we would want to receive. This goes for not just Nigerians, but for all people. In times like this, regardless of religious or political affiliations, I am sure we can all agree that the golden rule still stands true.

That being said, I can assure you that I will not be joining any "Get Us off That List: Nigerians Are Not Terrorists" Facebook groups or peddling any "Nigeria Is Against Terrorism" t-shirts. Rather, I will continue to strive to be the best person I can be because, like my brother alluded to, "I have to do even more to prove myself as a decent human being."

Usen Esiet

President, ALANA Network

THE HATE AND THE QUAKE

2010-01-25T10:51:00.000-05:00

Published on: 1/17/2010.

BY SIR HILARY BECKLES

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES is in the process of conceiving how best to
deliver a major conference on the theme Rethinking And Rebuilding Haiti .
I am very keen to provide an input into this exercise because for too long
there has been a popular perception that somehow the Haitian nation-building
project, launched on January 1, 1804, has failed on account of mismanagement,
ineptitude, corruption.

Buried beneath the rubble of imperial propaganda, out of both
Western Europe and the United States , is the evidence which
shows that Haiti 's independence was defeated by an aggressive North-Atlantic
alliance that could not imagine their world inhabited by a free regime of
Africans as representatives of the newly emerging democracy.
The evidence is striking, especially in the context of France .

The Haitians fought for their freedom and won, as did the Americans fifty years earlier. The Americans declared their independence and crafted an extraordinary constitution that set out a clear message about the value of humanity and the right to freedom, justice, and liberty. In the midst of this brilliant discourse, they chose to
retain slavery as the basis of the new nation state. The founding fathers therefore could not see beyond race, as the free state was built on a slavery foundation. The water was poisoned in the well; the Americans went back
to the battlefield a century later to resolve the fact that slavery and freedom could not comfortably co-exist in the same place.

The French, also, declared freedom, fraternity and equality as the new philosophies of their national transformation and gave the modern world a tremendous
progressive boost by so doing. They abolished slavery, but Napoleon Bonaparte could not imagine the republic without slavery and targeted the Haitians for a
new, more intense regime of slavery. The British agreed, as did the Dutch,
Spanish and Portuguese.

All were linked in communion over the 500 000 Blacks in Haiti , the most populous and prosperous Caribbean colony. As the jewel of the Caribbean , they all wanted to get their hands on it. With a massive slave base, the English, French and Dutch salivated over owning it - and the people.

The people won a ten-year war, the bloodiest in modern history, and declared their independence. Every other country in the Americas was based on slavery.

Haiti was freedom, and proceeded to place in its 1805 Independence Constitution that any person of African descent who arrived on its shores would be declared free,
and a citizen of the republic. For the first time since slavery had commenced, Blacks were the subjects of mass freedom and citizenship in a nation. The French refused to recognise Haiti 's independence and declared it an illegal pariah state. The Americans, whom the Haitians looked to in solidarity as their mentor in independence, refused to recognise them, and offered solidarity instead to the French. The British, who were negotiating with the French to obtain the ownership title to Haiti , also moved in solidarity, as did every other nation-state the Western world.

Haiti was isolated at birth - ostracised and denied access to world trade, finance, and institutional development. It was the most vicious example of national strangulation recorded in modern history. The Cubans, at least, have had Russia , China , and Vietnam .

The Haitians were alone from inception. The crumbling began.

Then came 1825; the moment of full truth. The republic is celebrating its 21st anniversary. There is national euphoria in the streets of Port-au-Prince . The economy is bankrupt; the political leadership isolated. The cabinet took the decision that the state of affairs could not continue. The country had to find a way to be inserted back into the world economy. The French government was invited to a summit. Officials arrived and told the Haitian government that they were willing to recognise the country as a sovereign nation but it would have to pay compensation and reparation in exchange. The Haitians, with backs to the wall, agreed to pay the French. The French government sent a team of accountants and actuaries into Haiti in order to place a value on all lands, all physical assets, the 500 000 citizens were who formerly enslaved, animals, and all other commercial properties and services. The sums amounted to 150 million gold francs.

Haiti was told to pay this reparation to France in return for national recognition.

The Haitian government agreed; payments began immediately. Members of the Cabinet were also valued because they had been enslaved people before independence. Thus began the systematic destruction of the Republic of Haiti . The French government bled the nation and rendered it a failed state. It was a merciless exploitation that was designed and guaranteed to collapse the Haitian economy and society. Haiti was forced to pay this sum until 1922 when the last instalment was made.

During the long 19th century, the payment to France amounted to up to 70 per cent of the country's foreign exchange earnings. Jamaica today pays up to 70 per cent in order to service its international and domestic debt.

Haiti was crushed by this debt payment. It descended into financial and social chaos.
The republic did not stand a chance. France was enriched and it took pleasure from the fact that having been defeated by Haitians on the battlefield, it had won on the
field of finance. In the years when the coffee crops failed, or the sugar yield was down, the Haitian government borrowed on the French money market at double
the going interest rate in order to repay the French government. When the Americans invaded the country in the early 20th century, one of the reasons offered was to assist the French in collecting its reparations.

The collapse of the Haitian nation resides at the feet of France and America , especially. These two nations betrayed, failed, and destroyed the dream that was Haiti; crushed to dust in an effort to destroy the flower of freedom and the seed of
justice.

Haiti did not fail. It was destroyed by two of the most powerful nations on earth, both of which continue to have a primary interest in its current condition.

The sudden quake has come in the aftermath of summers of hate. In many ways the quake has been less destructive than the hate. Human life was snuffed out by the quake, while the hate has been a long and inhumane suffocation - a crime against humanity. During the 2001 UN Conference on Race in Durban , South
Africa , strong representation was made to the French government to repay the 150
million francs. The value of this amount was estimated by financial actuaries as US$21 billion. This sum of capital could rebuild Haiti and place it in a position to re-engage the modern world. It was illegally extracted from the Haitian people and should be repaid. It is stolen wealth. In so doing, France could discharge its moral obligation to the Haitian people.

For a nation that prides itself in the celebration of modern diplomacy, France , in order to exist with the moral authority of this diplomacy in this post-modern world, should do the just and legal thing. Such an act at the outset of this century would open the door for a sophisticated interface of past and present, and set the Haitian nation free at last.

Sir Hilary Beckles is pro-vice-chancellor and Principal of the Cave Hill Campus, UWI.

LOOKING TO DONATE TO HAITI

2010-01-25T10:48:00.000-05:00

Click here to find a list of organizations, provided by CNN, that are providing their services to those in Haiti. All charities are categorized by what services they will provide.

CHINESE INTERNATIONAL RESCUE TEAM ARRIVES IN HAITI

2010-01-14T08:16:00.005-05:00

On January 12, 2010 an earthquake, with a magnitude estimated at 7.0, struck just before 5 p.m. about 10 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince crushing thousands of buildings, including the presidential palace and the UN peacekeeping headquarters. It is feared that over 100,000 people may be dead, but despite this tragic situation there still is hope.

The Chinese emergency rescue team arrived early at the airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Jan. 14, 2010 to help with the rescue efforts.

Click Here to read the article.

"IN KATRINA'S AFTERMATH, STILL A STRUGGLE TO HELP"

2009-12-29T09:40:00.006-05:00

Photo courtesy of NY Times. Taken by: Lee Celano

Almost five years after the storm, many Hurricane Katrina evacuees are still struggling to find their footing in everyday society. Broken homes, poor health, and decelerated learning are only a handful of the problems that plague the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

A NY Times article by Shaila Dewan sheds some light on the current situation in Baton Rouge and what one non-profit organization is doing to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The article also seems to provide a lasting solution to providing post-Katrina aid.

Click here to read the article.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE ALANA NETWORK

2009-12-16T09:42:00.003-05:00

O.M.A. & ALANA NETWORK SPRING 2010 EVENTS

2009-12-16T08:56:00.009-05:00

January 18, 2010 - February 11, 2010: Racism. A History.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs presents Racism: A History. This 3 part BBC documentary tells the horrific story of modern racism, from its commercial roots (“The Colour of Money”), in the slave trade (“Fatal Impacts”), to its legitimization by "men of science" and the resultant devastation (“Savage Legacy”) it had, and continues to have, in our struggle towards realization of the oneness of humankind and true "civilization".

Showing dates:

Part 1: January 18th - “Savage Legacy”
Part 2: January 28th"Fatal Impact”
Part 3: February 11th - "The Colour of Money”.

Time: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. (On each showing date)

Location: Alden Trust Auditorium, Kennedy 112.

Contact: Brenda Safford at brsafford@assumption.edu or 508-767-7100.

February 5, 2010: The Office of Multicultural Affairs presents Mamadou Diop

This will be an irresistible energy of master West African rhythm guitarist and drummer Mamadou Diop, and it is sure to be a night of world-class cultural experience. The sound is a guitar- and drum-led groove that includes the rhythms of high-life, juju, rumba, samba, salsa, and reggae.

Time: 9:00 -11:30 p.m.

Location: Charlie’s

Contact: Brenda Safford at brsafford@assumption.edu or 508-767-7100.

February 16, 2010: President's Lecture Series. Dr. George Yancey

Dr. George Yancy, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Duquesne University, works primarily in the areas of critical race theory, critical whiteness studies, and philosophy and the Black experience. Black Bodies, White Gazes: The Continuing Significance of Race understands Black embodiment within the context of white hegemony within the context of a racist, anti-Black world. Dr.Yancy demonstrates that the Black body is a historically lived text on which whites have inscribed their projections which speak equally forcefully to whites' own self-conceptualizations.

Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: La Maison Auditorium
Contact: Brenda Safford at brsafford@assumption.edu or 508-767-7100.

MINI-CONFERENCE ON SLAVERY IN AMERICA

2009-12-06T00:37:00.003-05:00

The students in History 389 (Pro-Seminar on Research Methods and the History of Slavery in America) will be hosting a mini-conference on Monday, December 7, 2009 and Wednesday, December 9, 2009 in the from 2:30-4:30PM (on both days) in the Carriage House. 22 students will be presenting the research they have conducted throughout the semester. The complete program is listed below.

You are invited to attend any of the presentations you find interesting. We realize that this is a busy time of the semester for everybody, so we will understand if some guests are able to observe only certain presentations. All are welcome to attend as much as they like.

Mini-Conference on Slavery and Freedom in America

Research Projects Undertaken By Students in History 389

Pro-Seminar on Research Methods and the History of Slavery in America

Monday, December 7, 2009 Carriage House

Panel 1: Comparative Cultures in the Era of Enslavement 2:30-3:10

Jeffrey A. Alderson (History, 2010; minor in Political Science)
“The Enlistment for Freedom: African American Responses to Slavery and the Civil War”

Mary Justine Hancock (History, 2010; concentration in Education)
“The North: An Appealing and Positive Society for Women”

Jack Nagle (History and Theology, 2010)
“Scripture and Slavery: The Battle over Biblical Interpretation between the Proslavery South and the Abolitionists”

Jessica Roy (History, 2010; concentration in Education, minor in Psychology)
“African American Experiences in the North and South”

Panel 2: African Americans and Military Service 3:10-3:40

Shawn Murray (History, 2010; minors in Foundations and Political Science)
“African American Service in the American Revolution and the Paradox between Rhetoric and Reality”

Michael Dee (History, 2010; minor in Theology)
“African Americans in the Civil War: Their Roles, Participation, and Impact on the American Civil War”

Nicholas Fusco (History, 2010; concentration in Education)
“African Americans in the Civil War: Well Deserved Freedom”

Panel 3: Biography and the History of Abolition 3:40-4:10

John Mullen (History, 2010)
“Anthony Burns: Resentment and Enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Law”

Kayla Parker (History, 2010; concentration in Education)
“John Brown: Motivations for Abolition and the Harpers Ferry Raid”

Rich Sierra (History, 2010; concentration in Education)
“Moses and Her Path to Freedom: An Analysis of the Life and Works of Harriet Tubman”

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 Carriage House

Panel 4: American Slavery and Social History 2:30-3:10

Samantha Baker (History, 2010; minor in Education)
“Treatment of Unfree Laborers”

Valerie Baker (History, 2010; minors in Education and Human Services)
“Slave Hierarchy within Slave Society and How It Affected Their Lives”

Rebecca Petty (History, 2010; minors in Anthropology, Foundations, and Spanish)
“Slave Families and Identity: Elements of Traditional African Culture within the Slave Family Structure”

Amanda Sheehy (History, 2010; concentration in Education)
“A Comprehensive Review of Women in Slavery throughout the Nineteenth Century”

Panel 5: Images, Texts, and Identity in Societies with Slaves 3:10-3:50

Maegan Cook (History 2010; concentration in Education)
“Visual Images of Slavery and How They Can Lead to Stereotypes”

Lianna DelGreco (History, 2010; minors in Art History and Education)
“Questionable Content: An Analysis of Racial Content Found in Children’s Literature during the Nineteenth Century”

Eric Keenan (History and Art History, 2011; minor in Anthropology)
“Different Shades of Black: Depictions of the African American Identity in Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century America”

Tom McGinley (History, 2011)
“Young Minds in Bondage: An Examination of Confederate Educational Print Culture”

Panel 6: American Slavery in the Atlantic World 3:40-4:30

Shawn Guilderson (History, 2010; minor in Political Science)
“American Reactions to the Haitian Revolution: Why the Insurrection Was Important to Slavery and How Toussaint L’ouverture Was an Influential Figure of the Revolutionary Era”

Alyse Moccia (History, 2010; concentration in Education)
“Looking at the Overlooked: Native American Slaves and Their Impact on North America”

Alex Polanik (History, 2010; minors in Education and Graphic Design)
“Slavery and the Supreme Court: The Amistad Case, the Trial, the Verdict, and Its Impact”

Patrick Seaman (History, 2010; minors in Philosophy and Political Science)
“Runaway Slaves: Challenges and Opportunities”

*The Carriage House is located next to the new Admissions building.

For more information contact Prof. Carl Keyes at ckeyes@assumption.edu or (508) 767-7324

CNN HEROES: AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE

2009-12-03T02:13:00.005-05:00

"CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" is an annual television special created by CNN to honor individuals who make extraordinary contributions to help others. The TV special started in 2007 and continues now, with the awards show airing at the end of the year.

During this past Thanksgiving weekend, CNN aired the second annual "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute," which is scheduled to air again on Christmas Day. Be sure to watch the special during the next airing to learn about the impact the 2009 heroes are making around the world.

Click here to meet all of the 2009 CNN heroes and contribute to their individual causes.

LE PROVOCATEUR: MUTLICULTURAL AFFAIRS ARTICLE #6

2009-12-03T02:06:00.002-05:00

My name is Erin Marie Muschette and I am multiracial. Looking at me, it is hard to determine my ethnicity, which has proven to be both a blessing and a curse. It is obvious that I am neither fully white, nor fully black, and I am too light-skinned to only be mulatto, as such, people stare at me confused and curious. Nevertheless, the staring does not bother me because I enjoy being different. The fact that people are unable to determine my ethnicity is a blessing because it allows me to see people's true views about diversity. This is also a curse because people who do not know my background engage in prejudiced conversations around me without even realizing it affects me.

I am proud to be Black, White, Portuguese, Cape Verdean, Arawak Indian, Jamaican and French-Canadian. Although I am not of Irish decent, I have an Irish first name. My skin complexion is light tan, and I have hazel eyes. I am neither dark-skinned-which makes it not as easy to point me out-nor am I completely pale-resembling many of the students here on campus. For these reasons, it is easy for me to blend in on a predominately white campus such as Assumption. I simply fade into the background.

The fact that I am multiracial raises another issue: many people expect me to identify with a specific race. I do not speak Cape Verdean-Creole or Portuguese so it is often difficult to identify with that part of my identity. Yet, if I have white friends or date white men, then I am labeled as acting white or trying to be white. Conversely, if I have black friends or date black men, then I am labeled as acting black or trying to be black. I did not know it was possible to act out who I am. I thought I was just being myself. How am I supposed to choose to identify with only one part of who I am?

My family is extremely diverse and we see people for who they are, not based on their skin color. That is the kind of atmosphere I am accustomed to. This is partly the reason why my transition into college here at Assumption was harder than I expected. Back at home, an hour away in Lynn, Mass., your character, your compassion for others, and your work ethic are what defines you, but here at Assumption many people judge you based on your skin color without getting to know you as a person. This prevents people from building healthy relationships because they are unable to see beyond race and color lines. Lynn is a very diverse city. I would be lying if I said Lynn does not have problems of its own, but it is a completely different environment than Assumption. People are very accepting in Lynn, and unfortunately that is not the case here at Assumption. I have come to realize that before attending college, I was living in a bubble. I expected everywhere I went to be just as diverse as both my family and the city in which I grew up. I realize that in life we will meet people with whom we do not share values and beliefs, but more importantly, we should be willing to learn from such experiences.

Growing up with such a diverse background has given me a strong sense of cultural awareness, as well as sensitivity towards topics of race and race relations. I have learned that it is offensive to be ignorant, and we can only improve cultural understanding through open, honest conversations. A lot of people are skeptical to ask questions regarding race and race relations, but it is better to ask questions and gain accurate knowledge about different cultures than to make incorrect assumptions about people of diverse backgrounds.

I have Black, White, Hispanic and multiracial friends. I do not make friends based on race, so it does not matter to me what they look like or how they talk. I personally love hearing different accents. My best friend is Laotian, and by being around her I was able to experience her culture. I have asked her numerous questions about her culture and have even learned a few words in Lao, the official Laotian language. I am comfortable in my own skin and am perfectly fine with the people I associate with or choose to date. The race of the people with whom I choose to surround myself with should not be an issue to anyone but me. I enjoy people's company because of their personality and not because of their skin color.

In today's society, and here at Assumption, many people are not accepting of cultures different from their own. It could be that some people have old-fashioned parents or ideals, but that does not justify ignorant thoughts or actions. In the ALANA Network, we work to promote diversity. Diversity should bring people together, not separate them. We must embrace different cultures in order to gain a better understanding of others. This way we will learn why people look, act, speak or dress a certain way, and such understanding will ultimately make all people feel comfortable and accepted. I am sure we can all agree that there is no better feeling than to be comfortable in our own skin and be accepted for who we are as human beings.

Erin Marie Muschette'10

Member At Large, ALANA Network

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2009-11-26T10:40:00.006-05:00

The ALANA Network would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for your continued support.

ALANA NETWORK MEETING MINUTES- NOVEMBER 19, 2009

2009-11-26T10:31:00.005-05:00

HIV/AIDS Awareness Week

- AIDS Project Worcester will be hosting an event on World's AIDS day at the YWCA on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 from 5:00-8:00PM

- This is an opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community.

- Transportation will be provided by Brenda in order for that to occur at least 20 students must sign-up

Rent

- Will be shown on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 in the Hagan Campus Center Hall approximately at 9PM

- This movie promotes HIV awareness

- We encourage all to attend if you haven't seen the movie already

Advancing Green Building Internship

- The program is open mainly to minority students and is intended to promote minority involvement in green building and other sustainability efforts

- For more information go to the website at http://www.secondnature.org/EmploymentOpportunities.html#internships\

- This is an opportunity for those seeking employment that you don't want to miss out on

Graduate Newspaper Fellowship and Apprenticeship for Minorities

- This program aims to attract members of the minority community with truly outstanding qualifications and the potential to make significant contributions to the field of newspaper journalism and increase the number of minority journalists in the country.

- This will be taken place at Syracuse University and it is one of the best programs for students who are pursuing degrees in journalism, and public affairs

- If you plan on signing up you are more likely to get in because not a lot of minority students signs up for this type of program

- For more information stop by the Office of Multicultural Affairs

- Brochures and Contact Info is in the Office

Other On-Campus Events

- Campus Ministry: Start 2 Retreat on November 20-22

- CAB: Late Night at Charlie's Band "Title Fight" tonight at 9Pm

Open Forum

- Skin Color

- Tracy came up with the idea to discuss skin color and what were your thoughts and opinions on it

- Skin Color plays a valubale role in each and everyone's culture and in society

THE AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY PRESENTS: AN (UN)CIVIL ACTION?: VIOLENT POLITICS IN 1920s WORCESTER

2009-11-16T10:51:00.013-05:00

What was the KKK doing in Worcester in the 1920s? Join historian John McClymer for a film_and-discussion program about civic violence in American politics.

Sponsored by: Mass Humanities, Assumption College, Worcester Historical Museum, American Antiquarian Society

An (Un)Civil Action?: Violent Politics in 1920s Worcester

A film–and-discussion program about civic violence in American politics moderated by historian John McClymer

November 21, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM

Testa Science Center Auditorium,

Assumption College, Worcester

In 1920s Worcester, violent political action appears to have been an option. On October 19, 1924, months of back-and-forth political intimidation climaxed in a night-long riot that followed a heavily protected Ku Klux Klan meeting at the Worcester Fairgrounds. When, four years later, on Nov. 5, 1928 a pre-election Hoover victory parade of 8,000 marched down Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, some 10,000 opposition supporters attacked the marchers. The ensuing riot lasted for hours also.

 Learn more about this and discuss how we might think of revolution, riot, rebellion, raid, and rout as part of politics and society. This program will also feature excerpts from the documentary, John Brown's Holy War and a discussion of Brown's choice for armed conflict.

This event, presented by Mass Humanities in collaboration with Assumption College, the Worcester Historical Museum, and the American Antiquarian Society, is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, visit: www.masshumanities.org.

Northampton-based Mass Humanities is affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Massachusetts Cultural Council, both of which fund the grant program. Mass Humanities conducts and supports projects that use history, literature, philosophy, and the other humanities disciplines to strengthen and enhance civic life across the Commonwealth. For further information about initiatives, grant deadlines, and awarded grants, visit: www.masshumanities.org.

LE PROVOCATEUR: MUTLICULTURAL AFFAIRS ARTICLE #5

2009-11-16T10:47:00.004-05:00

I grew up in a household with a strong sense of cultural pride. My parents were always proud to say they were Haitian and constantly reminded me that I was Haitian-American. At home, my mom spoke to me in her native Creole and French, and we always had Haitian food for dinner. Being Haitian has shaped the individual I am today because a lot of my values come from my parents and what they were taught in their homeland. I never understood why my parents were so proud of where they came from until I learned the history of their country, the place that they refer to as home; Haiti.

Haiti [hey-tee] or Ayiti [i-e-tee], which means mountainous land in the Taino Arawaks' native's language, is located in the Caribbean and makes up one-third of the island of Hispaniola. French is the official language of Haiti because it was colonized by the French, but Creole, a language made up of mostly broken French, with Spanish and Taino Arawaks' native language influences, is spoken by all. Enslaved Africans were brought to the country by the French to work on the sugarcane fields and by the 1730's empires were built, making Haiti one of the main suppliers of sugar, along with Jamaica. As a result of the influx of enslaved Africans, the natives were nearly wiped out, making Haiti a predominantly black country. In 1790, enslaved people united the leadership of Toussaint L' Overture to fight off the French, and later gained their independence in 1804. This made Haiti the first Black Republic in the world and sparked revolutions within enslaved nations elsewhere, including neighboring Dominican Republic, who fought off the Spanish with the help of the Haitians.

Although Haiti was the first Black Republic in the world, many people did not consider the country to be independent because the enslaved people were not allowed to learn how to read or write. In addition, Haiti remains an under-acknowledged country because many people are unaware of its history. Haiti is always associated with poverty, Voodoo and violence, so I could not understand why my parents were still so proud to say they were from Haiti. The depictions of the slums of the country on TV, as well as the constant reminder that Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, has clouded my perceptions of Haiti. Nevertheless, I have seen many pictures and visited the country four times and I have realized that my parents' country of origin is not what I see on TV.
Haiti might be the poorest country in the western hemisphere, but it is a country rich in culture. Food, dance, music and Voodoo are all embedded in the history of Haiti. Haitian food is mildly spicy and cooked with Taino Arawak cooking styles, Spanish food influences, French names and tweaked recipes, while maintaining an African twist. Haitian dances either mix European ballroom dancing with Spanish musical influences to Konpa (a Haitian musical genre) or come straight from the Voodoo dances. Voodoo, which many people think is bad, is a religion deeply rooted in the Haitian culture. Voodoo has many Christian influences because Europeans associated it with the devil and refused to let the enslaved Africans practice their original Voodoo. The new religion brought a new form of dancing called Ra Ra to the culture. Food, dance, and music are found, and whether it is Ra Ra or Konpa, throughout Haiti and Haitian people always find the right way to celebrate with family and close friends.

Haitian people are very proud of their culture and they share it by celebrating. Whether they cook or dance, or do both, celebrating is the way the Haitian people share their hospitality. Sharing is caring in Haiti, and through food, dance and music Haitians not only share their hospitality, but they share their history. I learned quickly that when something happens, whether it is a first communion or birthday party, we must celebrate, but I never realized how rooted celebrating was to the beginning of Haiti's history. Many accomplishments live through the food, dance, and music of Haiti and the celebrating is much more than the occasion, but a gateway to the past and hope for the future of Haiti.

My parents are proud because their culture is rich, their history is grand and their lives would not have influenced me so much if they were not from Haiti. The truth behind my ethnicity is neither what is being taught in the history books nor what is said by many, but it is the unheard stories and unknown facts about Haiti. My parents have taught me to be proud of who I am and where they come from because without knowing your history you cannot know yourself. Haiti is much more than the poorest country in the western hemisphere. It is a place of love, rich culture and extensive history. Haiti has influenced the American culture and many other cultures across the world, but, most importantly, it has influenced me as an individual. I realize now that no matter what people may say about Haiti or the Haitian culture, unless they know the truth about our history, they know nothing at all.

Tracy Noncent '11

Public Relations, ALANA Network

ALANA NETWORK MEETING MINUTES- NOVEMBER 12, 2009

2009-11-16T10:36:00.002-05:00

November 13, 2009

Sleep Out

- Reach out Center is hosting this event.
- Opportunity to experience what it's like to be homeless.
- Make sure you bring a sleeping bag, blanket, bottle of water, and a deck of cards.
- For more information Contact Kim Cohen at kcohen@assumption.edu
- 25,000 people are homeless every night in Worcester
- It is a great opportunity and I encourage all to attend thanks.

HIV/AIDS Week

- Screening of the movie Rent
- Promotes awareness of HIV
- 1 in 5 people have HIV and don't even know it
- Social Health and Responsibility Education(SHARE) is hosting this event
- Free HIV testing on Tuesday, December 2, 2009 from 10:30AM-2:00PM AIDS Project Worcester will be administering the test. I encourage all to come out and support the cause.
- Info Booth be on the lookout for that. They will be handing out red candy and red ribbons
- Painting Charlie's red with different statistics from different countries with people living with HIV/AIDS
- General Meetings Every other Monday at 6PM in Student Health Services
Open Forum

- Feedback about the ALANA Network
- Racial Healing Discussion to address the issue
- Supporting each other by reading articles in the Provoc by E-board members
- Advocate the mission and telling others what we do to promote cultural awareness

Miscellaneous Info:

- Sign up for the Fashion Show is next week
- 70 Spots are available for models make sure you sign up in the Office of
Multicultural Affairs because spots do fill up fast
- E-mail will be sent out regarding more information on the Fashion Show be on the lookout for that
- You don't want to miss out on this spectacular event I encourage all to attend thank you.

ALANA MEETING MINUTES- NOVEMBER 6, 2009

2009-11-09T08:46:00.001-05:00

ALANA Meeting Minutes
November 6, 2009

On November 5 the ALANA Network met in the Student Activities Resource Room here are the minutes from the meeting.

Spotlight

Peers Advocating Wellness for Students (PAWS)
Jenna McGrath, President
Lauren Trapasso, Vice President

• Sexual Health Awareness Education
• STD Protection focusing on HIV and AIDS on a Global scale
• T-shirts will be available it will say I Right on it to promote awareness in support of HIV and AIDS

• Discuss statistics, risks of HIV, and to decrease the stigma that comes along with the disease

• 1 in 5 have HIV and don’t know it
• December 1- December 3, 2009 this will be taking place
• Info Booth giving out Red Candy and Ribbons be on the lookout for that
• Free HIV Testing on Tuesday, December 2, 2009 from 10:30AM-2:00PM in Student Health Services and the host is AIDS Project Worcester

• Giving away free t-shirts raffles, and painting Charlie’s red with statistics from different countries. If you want to participate contact Jenna McGrath or Lauren Trapasso at ltrapasso@assumption.edu or jmcgrath@assumption.edu .

• Showing Movie Rent the film promotes HIV
• Sex Box where you can put questions, comments, or concerns regarding HIV and AIDS. It is confidential.

• General Meetings are held every other Monday at 6PM in Student Health Services

• I encourage all to participate in the cause to promote awareness about HIV and AIDS.

Independent Living and Life Skills

• Four week seminar held in the Office of Multicultural Affairs
• Preparation for life after college such as doing resumes, cover letters, and searching out the right career based upon your personality type.

• Prepares you on how to life a stable lifestyle while entering the workforce

• I encourage all to participate it is a great opportunity that you don’t want to miss out on.

• Contact Natonia Trammell at ntrammell@assumption.edu or Brenda Safford at brsafford@assumption.edu for more questions or concerns that you may have.

• November 2-23, 2009. It is from 10:30-11:30AM (November 2, November 13, and November 16). Mark these dates on your calendar.

Platanos and Collard Greens

• Bus will leave at 2PM in front of the Plourde Recreation Center
• The play is over at 4:30PM and will arrive at Assumption College no later than 5:45PM

• We are only seeing the play and not attending the conference.
• Come out and support Clark University thanks.

AND NOW A WORD FROM YOUR FUTURE EMPLOYER

2009-11-02T01:53:00.004-05:00

As seen in the latest issue of Deanmail at Assumption College:

"And Now a Word from Your Future Employer"

"It is advising time, and Assumption's students are thinking about selecting courses for Spring 2010. They are gathering information from sources good, bad, and indifferent.

(By the way, what would be a good source? Faculty advisors and department chairs, college websites like ours at <http://www1.assumption.edu/advising/>, academic catalogs, advice from Career Services. What would be bad? Ratemyprofessor.com, jaded upperclassmen, word of mouth, lore, cranky anecdote. What's indifferent? Facebook acquaintances, MySpace buddies, well-meaning but uninformed friends at other colleges and universities. Some students may even be consulting -- or at least hearing from -- their parents, which may be good or bad, but is rarely indifferent.)

But one voice is not generally consulted: employers. What do your future employers suggest you take?

In 2006, the American Association of College and Universities commissioned Peter D. Hart and Associates to ask a wide variety of employers what fields they'd like higher education to "place more emphasis" on teaching. Here are some of the topics and skills employers wished their college-educated job applicants had more of:

1. 82% of respondents, the biggest percentage in the study, named science and technology as something colleges needed to place more emphasis on. Maybe that science requirement isn't so bad. Taken a computer science course yet?

2. Teamwork skills in diverse groups and intercultural competence were tied at 76% of respondents. What courses expose you to other cultures and ways of being, and which involve some group work or team projects? Ever taken an Anthropology course? It's a global economy. Have you started a language yet?

3. A whopping 73% of employers wanted job applicants to be better at written and oral communication and critical thinking and analytic reasoning. These go together. We know that clear, critical thinking comes from reading, writing, and speaking about complex things, and getting critical response from other people. ENG130 and LTE140 are our starter courses in this regard, and if you are a first year student you ought to be enrolling in one or the other this spring. Upperclassmen: have you taken a Writing Emphasis course yet? Ever considered Speech? What's on offer that might stretch you in this regard?

4. Integrative Learning, which for the purposes of this study means "applied knowledge in real-world settings," was named by 73% of the participating employers as something they wanted to see in their job applicants' resumes. Have you taken a Community Service Learning course yet? Done an internship for credit? Studied abroad? All these options link learning in the classroom to experiences outside.

(For complete findings of this study, see www.aacu.org/leap <http://www.aacu.org/leap>.)

I wish you all the best as you inform yourself, and make your choices. Getting a job is not the be-all and end-all of a liberal arts education. But it turns out that what we are really best at teaching is what employers are crying for. Get ready."

Eloise Knowlton, Ph.D.

Dean of Undergraduate Studies,

Assumption College.

ALANA MEETING MINUTES- OCTOBER 29,2009

2009-11-02T01:42:00.006-05:00

ALANA Meeting Minutes

October 30, 2009

On October 29,2009 the ALANA Network met in the Student Activities Resource Room here are the minutes from the meeting.

Good Hair

· Date: Saturday, October 31, 2009

· Time: 1:00PM

· Venue: Springfield, Mass

· Departure: Plourde Recreation Center Bus Stop departure will be at 1:00PM.

Transportation and tickets will be covered by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Independent Living and Life Skills Program

· Date: Monday, November 2 -23, 2009

· Time: 10:30-11:30AM (November 2^nd, November 13^th, and November 16^th)

· Venue: The Office of Multicultural Affairs

· Please feel free to sign-up and contact Natonia Trammell for more information at ntrammell@assumption.edu

7^th Annual Millennium Leadership Conference

· Date: Friday-Sunday, November 6-8, 2009

· Venue: Clark University

· Designated to cultivate the inherent leadership qualities of college students who identify as ALANA through a series of workshops and presentations.

· More Info- http://www.clarku.edu/offices/academicadvancement/millennium.cfm

Other On-Campus Events

· Students for Safe Choices: Friday is Pub Night in Charlie’s. Halloween Palooza will take place from 9PM-12AM. There will be “Boo Bingo” and prizes for the best costume.

· CAB Fear: The Ultimate Game show, November 5^th at 8PM. It is a mix between jeopardy and fear factor. Winter Ball Tickets go on sale Thursday, November 6^th, 2009 for seniors from 12:00 to 4 and Wednesday, November 7^th, 2009 for juniors from 1-4PM

· Reach Out Center: NEADS afternoon Puppy Petting on November 11^th. Contact Molly Eastman at neastman@assumption.edu to participate.

Miscellaneous Information

· Independent Living and Life Skills Program will be a four week seminar. You do not want to miss out on this great opportunity. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Natonia Trammell at ntrammell@assumption.edu or Brenda Safford at brsafford@assumption.edu Thanks.

LE PROVOCATEUR: MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS ARTICLE #4

2009-11-02T01:31:00.003-05:00

"When speaking on the topic of racism one usually refers to the negative relationships among Whites, Latinos and Blacks. However, I witnessed a different type of racism growing up; this racism was between Latinos and Blacks. The battle between these two races has led to violence, a lack of communication and ultimately, a social divide.

Unity is an important aspect of society because it symbolizes progression. However, progression is the direct opposite of the current situation between Blacks and Latinos in many places. The ideal situation would be that Latinos and Blacks unite because both groups have a shared experience of oppression and exploitation. Latinos went through struggles caused by the early Europeans whom discovered the "New World" and set up harsh systems, which have prevented advancement in Latin America. The exploitation that Blacks suffered came at the hands of white Americans whom enslaved them for hundreds of years, and in return, prevented them from participating in various important aspects of society. In contemporary society when supposedly everyone should have learned to live with each other, the tension between Latinos and Blacks still exists heavily. One of the reasons why this is the case is because both groups of people tend to live in close proximity with one another in urban low income areas.

This racial divide has caused negativity between both racial groups in neighborhoods such as my hometown, Boston. I remember as early as middle school there would be fights after school, and it would always be a group of Blacks against a group of Puerto Ricans and Dominicans. It did not stop there, both within and outside school there were always many stereotypes going around, a lot of which was name-calling. Many Latinos were referred to as "Spics," while Blacks were referred to as "Cocolos" and "Morenos." Latinos tend to assume that if a Black person is in a heavily-populated Latino neighborhood, that they are trying to steal something or start problems and vice-versa. In Boston, specifically my neighborhood of Jamaica Plain there is an obvious racial divide. There is an area called Jamaica Pond, which is one of the nicest places you could live in. Then there are areas like Egleston Square, Heath Street, Mozart and Boylston that are low to middle income areas. In these areas there are sectors heavily populated by Latinos, and others sectors heavily populated by Blacks. Some of the problems would take place when there would be parties thrown in the neighborhood. You will never see a Latino go into a "black party" just out of fear because he would be the only Latino there. In this case, it is evident that being different is not always accepted. Latinos and Blacks are not always accepting of each other, and most of the time it is because they put no effort into doing so.

I find it strange that Latinos and Blacks can live in the same neighborhood, but will not work together because of their cultural differences. Perhaps a reason for Latinos not being so accepting of Blacks is because in most Latin American countries, people with darker skin are usually looked down upon, and it is the lighter-skinned people who tend to have the most control over the country. However, there are cases when a Latino could pass as Black, but the shared language and culture distinguishes them from Blacks. Language barriers are also a big issue between Latinos and Blacks with regard to communication. There are countless arguments between Latinos and Blacks which end up with comments like "go learn some English" or "I do not understand what you are saying." Although these are universal comments, in my neighborhood it is very common to hear such an argument between Latinos and Blacks.

When it comes to differences in languages, negative comments can be heard from Latinos towards Blacks as well because Spanish is not the only language spoken in Boston, especially by people considered "Black" in the eyes of Latinos. The other languages spoken in Boston include Haitian Creole and Cape Verdean Creole. Many times problems will start because of miscommunication, and I have witnessed this first hand. When I was younger I remember going to the Registry of Motor Vehicles with my mother, and witnessing the impatience and rudeness of a Black woman who worked in the RMV towards a Latina. This happened during the years when my mother was still learning to speak English and would have some trouble explaining her situation, but would eventually get her point across. When it was my mother's turn to be attended to after a long wait, my mother was only able to get three sentences out before the lady said, "You're going to have to come by another time because I don't know what you're saying, and I don't have time to sit here and try to attend to your issue." This was one of those disrespectful moments I will never forget even though I was too young to get involved and defend my mother.

Despite the racial divide between Blacks and Latinos, there are still signs of unity today. The most recent sign was during the 2008 presidential elections when Barack Obama won the presidential election. During the election period, we all could sense the unity amongst various racial minority groups in support of Barack Obama's campaign. In a way, Obama being president alone has united people who have traditionally been divided because they have a shared experience of electing him into office. Furthermore, unity is the key to progress and in order to see unity in the future between Blacks and Latinos, both racial groups must learn to live with each other and get accustomed to each other's culture because there are many things both of these rich cultures can learn from one another."

Sergio Roque '11

Treasurer, ALANA Network

ALANA NETWORK MEETING MINUTES- OCTOBER 22,2009

2009-10-27T11:44:00.001-04:00

Light the Night Walk
• Date: Sunday, October 25, 2009
• Time: 6:30PM
• Venue: Assumption College
• Walk distance is three miles, check in is at 5:00PM and the opening ceremony is at 6:00PM.

Caribbean Migrations and Encounters
• Date: Thursday, October 29, 2009
• Time: 4PM
• Venue: Holy Cross Levis Browsing Room (Dinand Library)
• This is a book that discusses the migrations of the Caribbean.

7th Annual Millennium Leadership Conference
• Date: Friday-Sunday, November 6-8, 2009
• Venue: Clark University
• Designated to cultivate the inherent leadership qualities of college students who identify as ALANA through a series of workshops and presentations.

• More Info-http://www.clarku.edu/offices/academicadvancement/millennium.cfm

Stand up Speak Out Conference
• Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2009
• Time: 7:00AM-4:00PM
• Venue: Hagan Campus Center Hall
• Host: National Catholic Center for Student Aspirations (NCCSA)
• Gain Leadership experience by running leadership workshops for 6th and 7th graders.

Other On-Campus Events
• Campus Ministry: START 1 Retreat starts Friday, October 23-24, 2009.
• CAB: On Saturday, October 24th, 2009 Comedian Jamie Lissow will be in Charlie’s at 8:30PM.

LE PROVOCATEUR: MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS ARTICLE #3

2009-10-27T11:39:00.003-04:00

"Have you ever been bullied? Do you know someone who has? Bullying is an ongoing issue in school systems in the United States today. Many students suffer psychologically from the effects of bullying. In recent studies, between 15 and 25 children commit suicide every year because they are bullied. Furthermore, bullying is just as prevalent with girls as it is with boys. In most cases, nothing is done for the students who have reported being bullied on a regular basis. Violence within schools increase because of the lack of protocol from administrators when dealing with these types of cases. There are many types of bullying such as verbal, physical, racial, sexual and cyberspace. Many students have suffered from depression, low self-esteem and health problems as a result. Therefore, something needs to be done about bullying in and outside of the classroom. Reaching out your hand and helping someone who is being bullied may change their whole life.

The likelihood of tragedies occurring from bullying is very prevalent. For example, in Colorado at Columbine High School two males brought weapons into school and killed 13 students, eventually pulling the triggers on themselves. This could have been prevented if at least one person took a stand to help these boys cope and get through school successfully. In addition to that, there are long-term effects of bullying when a child reaches adulthood. It is traumatizing as a child to go through such hardships at a young age and not receive the adequate care to show the child positive ways to deal with their emotions.

Growing up as a child was extremely hard for me. I was alone most of the time and no one would ever listen to me. I was taken for granted and felt isolated among my peers. Furthermore, this speaks volumes about me because as an adult, it is hard to open up and let people into my life. Since no one ever cared about what I had to say and took the credit for my idea, silence was the only thing I knew. As a child I was bullied in school. On a daily basis I was made fun of and ridiculed about everything. Furthermore, I had to fight everyday just to defend myself. That never worked because it still continued no matter if I did say or do something about the situation; I always lost. Do you know what it feels like to go to school on a daily basis and have to deal with being bothered and it going unnoticed? I know the feeling of living my life in total darkness because I felt as if I was walking around with a mask over my face. I didn't exist among my peers and it hurt deep down inside, not to be a part of a group. Every single night I cried myself to sleep because I was in so much pain. I didn't understand why I had to be the one who was all alone and that people couldn't accept and respect me for who I was. In addition to that, I have become very angry and bitter from the hardships that I had to endure at a very young age. I didn't deserve to be treated that way and I never knew why I had to suffer the way that I did.

Being a leader here at Assumption College has allowed me to overcome many obstacles that I have faced in my past. I've learned so much through this leadership experience about opening up and letting people in. Growing up was very difficult for me because I didn't have the support and love from the people I cared so much about. I wanted to break free from the negativity and experience the positive atmosphere I have longed for.

My whole perspective has changed since I became Secretary of the ALANA Network. I've met a group of wonderful individuals who really do care about me and want to get to know me for who I am. It's an overwhelming feeling to get the support I've always wanted from the ALANA E-board, and I am truly blessed and grateful to work with individuals who are so passionate about their work. Coming into this new chapter in my life as a student leader I didn't have confidence within myself but now I see that it's slowly changing. Gaining confidence doesn't necessarily happen overnight but it's something that evolves gradually, and it's something that I am willing to work on.

Before being a student leader I was the one who was always by myself observing others personalities and never really had much to say to people. Since I've become a leader, I feel as though I've been growing a lot as a person to the point where I am comfortable talking to people and interacting with them on a regular basis. Being a leader means I have to be an example in and outside of the classroom. Furthermore, as a leader I have to be flexible and able to work with all types of people and their personalities. This journey hasn't been easy but it has been with the help of my peers and mentors that have made a difference for me."

Shatovia Devonish '12

Secretary, ALANA Network

ALANA MEETING MINUTES-OCTOBER 15, 2009

2009-10-19T11:20:00.004-04:00

ALANA Meeting Minutes
October 16, 2009

On October 15, 2009 the ALANA Network met in the Student Activities Resource Room here are the minutes from the meeting.

Guest Speaker: Al Tony

Trip to ‘Slave Quarters’
• Date: Saturday, October 17, 2009
• Time: 11:30-5:00PM
• Venue: 15 George Street Medford, MA 01255
• First 10 students to sign up go for free
• Transportation will be provided as well (excluding the tip)

Triveni Ensemble
• Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
• Time: 7:00PM
• Venue: Alden Trust Auditorium Kennedy 112
• Sponsored by Women’s Studies Passport to the World of Women Series

Good Hair
• Date: Friday, October 23, 2009
• Time: TBA
• Venue: TBA
• Chris Rock’s new and insightful documentary about the African American hair culture
• Visits hair salons and styling battles, scientific laboratories, and Indian temples to explore the way black hairstyles impact the lives of African Americans.

Light the Night Walk
• Date: Sunday, October 25, 2009
• Time: 6:30PM
• Venue: Assumption College
• Walk distance is three miles, check in is at 5:00PM and the opening ceremony is at 6:00PM.

7th Annual Millennium Leadership Conference
• Date: Friday-Sunday, November 6-8, 2009
• Venue: Clark University
• Designed to cultivate the inherent leadership qualities of college students who identify as ALANA through a series of workshops and presentations.
• More Info-http://www.clarku.edu/offices/academicadvancement/millennium.cfm

Stand Up Speak Out Conference
• Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2009
• Time: 8:30-4:00PM
• Venue: Hagan Campus Center Hall
• Host: National Catholic Center for Student Aspirations (NCCSA)
• Gain Leadership experience by running leadership workshops for 6th and 7th graders

Other On-Campus Events
• CAB: AC Idol at 9PM in Charlie’s
• Res Life: Haunted Maze and Autumn Festival in Plourde from 9PM-12AM

Active Support for the Football Team

Open Forum
• Barack Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize (look up information on the criteria of the Nobel Peace Prize and bring it to the meeting to discuss it).

Miscellaneous Information:

• Fifteen students from Anna Maria College and Twenty Students from Assumption will be going to the Slave Quarters in Medford, MA.

• Create poster in support of the Football team for being #1 in the NCAA Conference.

• Sign up to be an Orientation Leader next semester to get involved on campus.If you have any questions or concerns please see Usen and Sheena.
• Stand up Speak out conference you would connect leadership to the Catholic faith. For more info Contact Laura Hall at lhall@assumption.edu