Date: Nov 03, 2008

Hofstra Celebrates Diversity Awareness Month

Art Exhibits, Powerful Documentaries, Symposiums and Panel Discussions

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – What Black Men Think, photographs exploring the “sacred ground” in cemeteries of Scotland, Queer Iconography – an LGBT Symposium and the documentary Amandla! are just a few of the topics and events that will be explored as part of Hofstra’s celebration of Diversity Awareness Month, a month devoted to recognizing the beauty of human differences and the way it affects all relationships.

“Diversity Awareness Month is a time for the Hofstra community to examine the wide-variety of individual cultures and identities that shape our collective ethos as an institution of higher education,” said Director for Multicultural & International Student Programs Ryan Greene. “Every single member of the Hofstra community contributes to the great diversity of our campus, and they do because each of us has multiple identities based on our race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, ability, sexual orientation, religion, geographic affiliation and citizenship.”

Some of the Diversity Awareness events are listed below. These events are open only to members of the Hofstra Community.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

3-5 p.m. 142 Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus
Is the Revolution Being Televised? Portrayals of Diversity in the Media
The Diversity, Dialogue, and Desserts series is a discussion oriented forum regarding various issues of diversity in our world today.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

6-8 p.m. Hofstra Recreation Center, North Campus 
Women’s Self Defense Workshop
Hofstra student Emily Miethner organized this great program as a tribute to women who have dealt with rape or relationship violence in their lives.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

7 – 9 p.m. Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center Theater, North Campus
What Black Men Think
In this powerful documentary – which includes interviews with prominent black men, college students and entertainers – filmmaker Janks Morton examines and challenges negative stereotypes that plague the image of black men in American society. Featured guest lecture by Mr. Janks Morton.

November 7, 2008 – February 6, 2009

Rochelle and Irwin A. Lowenfeld Conference and Exhibition Hall, South Campus
Sacred to the Memory: Photographs by Robert Reinhardt
Robert Reinhardt’s photographs explore the “sacred ground” in cemeteries of Scotland, where each site encompasses a unique slice of history, culture, religion, art and architecture.

Friday and Saturday, November 7 and 8, 2008

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Various Locations on Hofstra’s Campus  
Queer Iconography – Third Annual LGBT Symposium
The facility with which gays and lesbians move between pop cultural icons and emblematic iconography often attests to the oft-touted camp sensitivity of the “LGBT world”. Do “icon” and “iconography” cohabitate in a queer world?

Thursday, November 20, 2008

6- 8:30 p.m. Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center Theater, North Campus
Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony
This 2002 documentary, directed by Lee Hirsch, studies the impact of music on South African people and culture during Apartheid. For anyone who truly believes in the power of song, this documentary shows how music played a significant part in the fight for freedom.

“This month symbolizes how Hofstra can come together to plan a series of events of this caliber, as nineteen campus sponsors and four off-campus sponsors came together to ensure this month will be a great success,” said Ryan Greene.

Diversity Awareness Month is sponsored by Hofstra’s Division of Student Affairs and The Office of Multicultural and International Student Programs with the help of various departments, schools, and student groups on campus.

For a full calendar of Diversity Awareness Month events please visit the website at http://www.hofstra.edu/StudentAffairs/omisp/omisp_diversity.html or call 516-463-6796.

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