Education Summit April 29; New Youth Intervention Specialist on Board

As local law enforcement agencies prep next week to show how they interact with the community, efforts to keep youths from becoming involved in the juvenile justice system reportedly have gained momentum with the introduction of a youth intervention specialist for the Bloomington Police Department.

Michael Donnelly, who works as community impact manager with the United Way of McLean County, will work part time with police to identify and mentor at-risk youth.

Mayor Tari Renner said the city is not alone in the challenges posed by youths who get into trouble. Calling youth crime "one of the top social issues" among mayors, Renner said a $25,000 grant from State Farm will allow Donnelly to work with youths and their families to address small matters before they become bigger ones.

A similar program funded by State Farm has been in place at the Normal Police Department since 2008.

BPD Chief Brendan Heffner said Donnelly will work with the agency's four school resource officers and McLean County juvenile probation staff to help students who need guidance.

"We know we won't save every young person we come in contact with," said Donnelly, but building a bridge that serves police, families and social services is a positive first step.

Donnelly's prior experience working with youth through several community programs makes him a good fit, said Heffner.

Retired 11th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Elizabeth Robb attended the announcement at BPD and said Donnelly "knows the families and the system," agreeing having a person who knows how to talk to youths about the consequences of their mistakes will provide the community with a much-needed resource.

McLean County State's Attorney Jason Chambers also applauded the city for obtaining the grant and for hiring Donnelly.

"Its not unusual for adults in the criminal justice system to have a history of police contact as a juvenile. A lot of what law enforcement does is reactive. It's great to see someone working on prevention," said Chambers.

City officials did not have an estimate for the number of youths Donnelly could see during the year he will work under the grant.  With the onset of warm weather when youths are typically more active, he could be busy, Heffner admitted.

The city plans to seek a renewal of the grant after its reviews statistics on the impact Donnelly's work has on police interaction with at-risk youth.

Bonilla-Silva: 'New Racism' Thriving in U.S.

This year the Illinois State University Department of Sociology and Anthropology is honored to bring to campus Dr. Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, chair of the Department of Sociology at Duke University.

One of his Bonilla-Silva's most relevant books, Racism Without Racists: Colorblind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in the United States, has been adopted for classes at ISU, and is currently being read by a group of sociology students.

In his book, he challenges the notions of a “post-racial,” “color blind” society to expose the contemporary contours of racial inequality in the United States. Bonilla Silva will visit campus Thursday and Friday, first guesting at a 3:00-5:00 p.m. reception at Medici in Uptown Normal. At 7 p.m., he will lecture on “The Sweet Enchantment of Post-Racial Racism in America,” in the Old Main Room of Bone Student Center.

Bonilla-Silva will examine the contours of America’s racial landscape since the early 1970s. His main claim is that racism, viewed in structural terms, has remained a central organizational principle of American life, albeit in changed form. The nation has moved away from traditional segregation and discrimination, but a “new racism” has taken its place. This new racial system relies on subtle, seemingly non-racial practices to reproduce white privilege, Bonilla-Silva maintains.

Along with the “new racism” structure, a new racial discourse has emerged to organize racial transactions and discussions — the ideology of “color-blind racism.” Bonilla-Silva will examine the component parts of this new ideology in detail. At the end of his talk, he will suggest various strategies to fight discrimination in this new racial order.  

The Robert G. Bone Distinguished Lecture Series was established by the late Illinois State University President, Robert G. Bone (1956-1967). It is a yearly lecture shared by the departments of History, Politics and Government, and Sociology and Anthropology. It is designed to bring to campus distinguished scholars to deliver a public lecture and to meet with the faculty and students. 

Unit 5 Passes Not In Our School Resolution

The Unit 5 School District Board Wednesday passed a historic, student-presented "Not In Our School" resolution that formally sets down standards for addressing bullying and fostering inclusivity:

McLean County School District Not In Our School Resolution 
WHEREAS, bullying and intolerance has become a daily occurrence on many school campuses and in towns and cities across the nation; 
WHEREAS, bullying can take many forms, including verbal, physical, and most recently in cyberspace, and can happen in many places on and off school grounds;  
WHEREAS, history has tragically taught us what happens when people stand by and allow acts of bullying, intolerance, and hatred to occur; 
WHEREAS, it is important for parents, students, teachers, and school administrators to be aware of bullying, and to encourage discussion of the problem as a school community;  
WHEREAS, by teaching students to embrace differences, have empathy, and become upstanders who stand up for themselves and others, we create a safer school climate and prepare them to be upstanding citizens;  
WHEREAS, students, educators, and community members across the country who have started Not In Our School campaigns have been successful in opposing all forms of bullying and harassment;  
WHEREAS, schools and communities nationwide have used Not In Our School resources to create safe and inclusive environments where students feel accepted and belonging and can focus on their studies; 
WHEREAS, we, the Board of Education of McLean County Unit District No. 5, oppose any manifestation of bullying, harassment, prejudice and all forms of intolerance towards any group or individual; 
WE the Board of Education of McLean County Unit District No. 5, together with students and faculty across our District and the country, resolve to stand up against bullying and intolerance and actively work to make our campus free from discrimination and hatred. We also resolve to promote safety, inclusion, and acceptance, joining thousands of others to say with one voice, "Not In Our School.”  

Dear White People April 20 at Braden

A film examining race relations will air Monday, April 20, at Bone Student Center's Braden Auditorium, followed by an opportunity to dialogue with the star.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. showing of Dear White People,  is a satirical comedy-drama starring actress Tessa Thompson that follows the lives of four Black students and their experiences regarding race relations at a predominately White Ivy League college. Things boil over when an all-white staff of a humor magazine stages an offensive Halloween party.

 Moviegoers can enter to win the opportunity to meet Tessa Thompson on April 21 for “A Talk About Race Through the Arts.” The forum, which also starts at 7 p.m. in the Braden Auditorium, will address how race, diversity, and inclusion are illustrated through the arts. Thompson was also featured in the film Selma and For Colored Girls and played ‘Jackie Cook’ on the CW’s crime show Veronica Mars.

 Her performance in Dear White People landed her a Gotham Award for Breakthrough Actor, as well as a the 46th Annual NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture.

 The events are sponsored by the ISU Dean of Students Office and ISU’s American Democracy Project.

Immigration Discussion, Film Wednesday Evening

Twin Citians are welcome Wednesday to gain a perspective on "Living in B-N as an Undocumented Immigrant," during a Drinks & Dialogue get-together at 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Uptown Normal.

The discussion will be led by Jasmine McGee, executive director of The Immigrant Project, and Jennifer Carrillo from Illinois People's Action.

After the discussion, all those interested can take the short walk down the street to the Normal Theater at 7 p.m. to view the film Documented. The Immigration Project and its community partners are sponsoring the screening of the film, created by Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas about his experience as an undocumented immigrant in the United States. The film tracks his journey from the Phillipines as a child and becoming one of the most well-known immigration reform activists in the U.S., to reconnecting with his mother after more than 20 years. 

The screening will be followed by a discussion with the Immigration Project, immigrants, and other immigration advocates and experts. This event is free, but donations are requested to support The Immigration Project.

Community partners include the League of Women Voters, Illinois People’s Action, Moses Montefiore Temple, First Presbyterian Church, Mennonite Church, Holy Trinity Church, and St. Mary’s Church.

Not In Our Town: Bloomington-Normal's Kelley Becker notes that "we are struggling with how to respond to the strangers who are crossing our southern borders, to live in our communities, to work in our businesses and farms, and to learn with our children." Amid current sociopolitical hysteria,  she stressed most of the estimated 11.7 million "undocumenteds" in the U.S. are here for economic reasons, and "are not here to harm us."

Becker witnessed ramped-up federal border security/immigration enforcement activity during a tour centered in Tucson, including "Operation Streamline" prosecution and deportation of selected individuals who'd illegally entering the country, including minors who did not wish to be separated from other families. "I would not have believed this was a courtroom in the United States," Becker said, arguing those proceedings divert federal resources away from prosecution of drug smugglers and human traffickers who pose a palpable threat to the U.S.

That experience, as well as inspecting the border areas where Mexicans crossed into the U.S., highlights the need to "legislatively, socially, and ethically" deal with the immigration issue, she maintained. An Arizona host showed Becker objects including a bottle of insulin and a baby shoe discarded by individuals fleeing Mexico.

"We began to think about the people who left these things behind in the desert," she recalled. "We cannot disagree about the value of these human beings."

McLean County Hosts Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events

The month's local observances began last Thursday with a Teal Ribbon Ceremony at Heartland Community College. Community members were invited to tie ribbons around the campus or paint a single fingernail teal to symbolize support for sexual assault survivors.

The Clothesline Project will be 5 to 7 p.m. April 8 at YWCA, 1201 N. Hershey Road. Assault survivors are invited to create shirts to be displayed on a clothesline; supplies will be provided. Shirts will be on display throughout April at Behind The Glass Fine Art Gallery and Studio, 315 N. Main St., Bloomington; Wednesday through April 9 at Heartland Community College; and April 10 at YWCA.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at the McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St. Goal of the event — featuring keynote speaker Steve Thompson, an expert on sexual assault and stalking — is to raise awareness about sexual violence and improve gender relationships and appreciation for women's experiences. Registration is $25 — $10 for students and seniors — and may be completed at www.ywcamclean.org.

Brave Miss World, a movie about rape and followed by a panel discussion, will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 21 at Illinois State University's Center for Visual Arts, Normal. The event is hosted by ISU's Graduate Organization of the School Psychology program.

Take Back the Night will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 28 at McLean County Museum of History. The event will include speakers, a rally, a 1½-mile walk through downtown Bloomington and a candlelight vigil.

Summer Immersion Saturday Offers Spanish Course

This summer, Illinois Wesleyan University will offer a quality Spanish language program for children ages four to 12 as the first initiative of the new IWU Language School for Kids.

Starting in May, the Summer Immersion Saturday School will include activities that teach languages through games, songs, stories, and crafts. Classes will take place 9 to 11 a.m. from May 9 through July 18, and will be held in the Buck Memorial Library. Registration for the summer program is $230 per student for early registration (full payment due by April 14) and $250 after April 14. Multiple child discounts are available.

In the fall of 2016, an afterschool language program will be offered. The Summer Immersion and after-school language programs aim to promote early second language acquisition, and will offer children the opportunity to learn a variety of languages and gain knowledge of the rich cultural traditions of the target language. Research indicates childhood is the ideal time to begin learning a second language.

In accordance with the University’s mission, the school will also provide unique opportunities for students at Illinois Wesleyan. The school will create on-campus teaching opportunities for IWU foreign and second language teacher pre-candidates, offer academic internships in the languages, promote community engagement, and provide teaching experience to enhance competitiveness for post-graduate fellowships.

An initiative of the Language Resource Center, the program is made possible by a Donnocker Innovation Fund Program Grant. The Language Resource Center represents the departments of French, Italian, German, Russian and Asian Languages, Hispanic Studies, and Greek and Roman Studies.

Bone Lecture On 'Post-Racial Racism' April 23

Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, the author of Racism Without Racists: Colorblind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in the United States, will present The Sweet Enchantment of Post-racial Racism in America for the Illinois State University annual Bone Lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23, in the Old Main Room of the Bone Student Center. The event, sponsored by Illinois State’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology, is free and open to the public.

Bonilla-Silva is a professor of sociology at Duke University. In this talk, he will examine the contours of America’s racial landscape since the early 1970s. “Racism, viewed in structural terms, has remained a central organizational principle of American life albeit in changed form,” said Bonilla-Silva, who added that the nation has moved away from traditional segregation and discrimination, but a “new racism” has taken its place. “This new racial system relies on subtle, seemingly non-racial practices to reproduce white privilege.” He will provide examples of these practices.

He argues along with the “new racism” structure, a new racial discourse has emerged to organize racial transactions and discussions – the ideology of “color-blind racism.” Bonilla-Silva will examine the component parts of this new ideology in detail. At the end of his talk, he will suggest various strategies to fight discrimination in this new racial order.

Bonilla-Silva received his bachelor’s degree in sociology and economics from the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras campus in 1984. He received his master’s degree in 1987 and his Ph.D. in 1993 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He worked at the University of Michigan and Texas A&M University, and is currently chair of the Department of Sociology at Duke University. He is also affiliated with African and African American Studies, Latin American Studies, Latino Studies and the Institute for Critical U.S. Studies.

Professor Bonilla-Silva gained visibility in the social sciences with his 1997 American Sociological Review article, Rethinking Racism: Toward a Structural Interpretation, where he challenged social analysts to analyze racial matters from a structural perspective rather than from the sterile prejudice perspective.

His research has appeared in journals such as Sociological Inquiry, Racial and Ethnic Studies, Race and Society, Discourse and Society, American Sociological Review, Journal of Latin American Studies, Contemporary Sociology, Critical Sociology, Research in Politics and Society, The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, and Political Power and Social Theory, among others.

To date, he has published five books, White Supremacy and Racism in the Post-Civil Rights Era, a co-winner of the 2002 Oliver Cox Award given by the American Sociological Association; Racism Without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in the United States, a winner of the 2004 Choice Award; White Out: The Continuing Significance of Racism with Ashley Doane; White Logic, White Methods: Racism and Social Science with Tukufu Zuberi, which also was the co-winner of the 2009 Oliver Cox Award; and State of White Supremacy: Racism, Governance, and the United States with Moon Kie Jung and João H. Costa Vargas.

Bonilla-Silva has received many awards, most notably, the 2007 Lewis Coser Award given by the Theory Section of the American Sociological Association for Theoretical-Agenda Setting and in 2011, the Cox-Johnson-Frazier Award given by the American Sociological Association “to an individual or individuals for their work in the intellectual traditions of the work of these three African American scholars.”

The Robert G. Bone Distinguished Lecture Series was established by the late Illinois State University President Robert G. Bone (1956-1967). The annual lecture, shared by the Departments of History, Politics and Government, and Sociology and Anthropology, is designed to bring to campus distinguished scholars to deliver a public lecture and meet with the faculty and students.

YWCA Stepping Stones Focusing on Sexual Assault Awareness

YWCA McLean County's Stepping Stones program — which provides help for sexual assault and abuse survivors and their families — will sponsor several programs during April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

A Teal Ribbon Ceremony will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Heartland Community College, 1500 W. Raab Road, Normal. Community members are invited to tie ribbons around campus to symbolize support for sexual assault survivors and to bring awareness.

The Clothesline Project will be 5 to 7 p.m. April 8 at YWCA, 1201 N. Hershey Road. Assault survivors are invited to create shirts to be displayed on a clothesline; supplies will be provided. Shirts will be on display throughout April at Behind The Glass Fine Art Gallery and Studio, 315 N. Main St., Bloomington; Wednesday through April 9 at Heartland Community College; and April 10 at YWCA.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St. Goal of the event — featuring keynote speaker Steve Thompson, an expert on sexual assault and stalking — is to raise awareness about sexual violence and improve gender relationships and appreciation for women's experiences. Registration is $25 — $10 for students and seniors — and may be completed at www.ywcamclean.org.

Brave Miss World, a movie about rape and followed by a panel discussion, will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 21 at Illinois State University's Center for Visual Arts, Normal. The event is hosted by ISU's Graduate Organization of the School Psychology program.

Take Back the Night will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 28 at McLean County Museum of History. The event will include speakers, a rally, a 1½-mile walk through downtown Bloomington and a candlelight vigil.

Listen below for an in-depth discussion of Stepping Stones' objectives and efforts to empower victims of assault:

Play Examines LGBT Life in the '50s

A staged reading of the play Beebo Brinker Comes to Town will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, in the Illinois State University Center for the Visual Arts, Room 151. Admission is free.

The play, written by Illinois State Associate Professor of English Paula Ressler and directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Duane Boutté, is based on Ann Bannon’s 1962 lesbian pulp fiction novel Beebo Brinker. The play focuses on lesbian life in the 1950s during the time of the Cold War, the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, and with the Women’s and Gay Liberation movements on the horizon.

Ressler is the author of several original plays, a number of dramatic literary adaptations and the award-winning book, Dramatic Changes, which addresses incorporating LGBTQ issues into teacher education through drama. She has appeared locally in a reading of Irene Taylor’s play Tapestries at New Route Theatre and a staged reading of Dear Harvey by Patricia Loughrey sponsored by Prairie Pride Coalition.

Boutté, an actor/director with New York City professional roots, has appeared in the films Stonewall and Brother to Brother, and was in the original Broadway companies of Parade and the 1994 revival of Carousel.  He portrayed the gay, civil rights activist Bayard Rustin in the play Civil Sex, produced at New York City’s Public Theatre and other theatres across the country. Most recently he directed the School of Theatre and Dance’s production of Cabaret and Prairie Pride Coalition’s staged reading of Peter Macklin’s gay-themed play, A Different Time.

The staged reading is funded partly through a grant from the Town of Normal Harmon Arts Grant. The event is sponsored by Prairie Pride Coalition, the ISU LGBT/Queer Studies and Services Institute, the Department of English and the School of Theatre and Dance.

Police-Community Simulations Planned April 29; Heffner Urges Students to 'Comply, then Complain'

Police and the community will simulate public interactions to stimulate dialogue and, ideally, improved community relations.

The Minority and Police Partnership (MAP) with the Bloomington Police Department will conduct an event using real equipment to simulate traffic stops and potentially hostile situations, 5 p.m. April 29 at the Illinois Army National Guard armory, 1616 S. Main St., Bloomington.

Bloomington Police Chief Brendan Heffner told NIOT:B/N the simulations should offer the public "a taste of what we do and why," as well as an opportunity for officers and citizens to share mutual perceptions of police-community encounters.

During a discussion last week between students and BPD and ISU police chiefs at Illinois State University,  Heffner stressed “the C's — comply and then complain,” in situations where individuals believe they have been improperly stopped and/or questioned by police. Some 125 people attended the program, which was sponsored by ISU's chapter of the NAACP and the ISU group My Brotha's Keeper.

Kenneth Porter, an adviser to the ISU NAACP, said the program was an opportunity to break down stereotypes either side might have in a neutral environment and for “police to clarify their side of the story.” Porter acknowledged that nationally, "there's been a lot of tension with in the black community in light of the last 12 months," but held that overall, Bloomington-Normal departments "do a pretty good job, compared to the rest of the country or even the state.”

Most of the questions from participants centered on alcohol violations, traffic stops, loud party complaints, and other student concerns.

More than half the students at the event indicated they had had an encounter with the police. But students also volunteered personal stories about positive police encounters, from being given the benefit of the doubt after they were stopped for speeding to receiving extra patrols after an ex-boyfriend refused to stay away.

One student said police arrived when “I was having a 'social event' at my residence.” He said that once he turned down the music and quieted his guests, the police left and “just said, 'Be smarter next time.'”

Language Education Focus of April 6 Film

A free screening of the film Speaking in Tongues is scheduled Monday, April 6, at the Normal Theater.

After the screening, Assistant Professor Elizabeth Skinner of the College of Education will facilitate a Q&A session discussing the potential benefits of dual-language immersion locally in the Bloomington-Normal community.

Speaking in Tongues is an award-winning documentary on language education in the United States. The film follows four children on their path to becoming bilingual. It took home the Documentary Audience Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival.

This free screening is sponsored by State Farm Bank; Conexiones Latinas de McLean County; Illinois State University’s Latin American and Latino/a Studies Program; College of Education (School of Teaching and Learning); Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; and the Student Association of Bilingual Education, as well as Illinois Wesleyan University’s Department of Hispanic Studies and Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

For additional information, contact Professor of Latino/a Studies Maura Toro-Morn at mitmorn@ilstu.edu or 438-8290.

Normal Theater to Host Asian Film Festival

In celebration of Asian-American Heritage Month, AsiaConnect will present the 2015 Asian Film Festival from Thursday, April 9, through Sunday, April 12, at the Normal Theater.

The cost of the event is free for students with an ID and $7 for general admission.

The festival will feature four theatrically acclaimed movies from China, South Korea, India and Japan including:

• Shadow Magic (Ann Hu, 2000) [China], at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9. The movie is a historical drama about the introduction of motion pictures to China during the beginning of the 20th century. It follows a young photographer who struggles to start a film industry in China despite the strong anti-Western sentiment of the time.

• Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…and Spring (Kim Ki-duk, 2003) [South Korea], at 7 p.m. Friday, April 10. This film is Buddhist, but it is also universal. “It takes place within and around a small house floating on a small raft on a small lake, and within that compass, it contains life, faith, growth, love, jealousy, hate, cruelty, mystery, redemption … and nature. Also a dog, a rooster, a cat, a bird, a snake, a turtle, a fish and a frog,” stated the late film critic Roger Ebert.

• The Lunchbox (Ritesh Bartra, 2014) [India], at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 11. Set in contemporary Mumbai, this film tells the story of Ila, a middle-class housewife who tries to rejuvenate her marriage through cooking. She prepares a special lunchbox to be delivered to her neglectful husband at work, but it is mistakenly delivered to another office worker, Saajan. This begins a series of lunchbox notes between Saajan and Ila, which leads to an emotional journey of self-discovery. They each find an anchor to hold onto in a big city that so often crushes hopes and dreams.

• The Tale of Princess Kaguya (Isao Takahata, 2014) [Japan], at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 12. Based on a Japanese folktale, this animated fantasy drama tells the story of a young princess who must discover her past and confront her fate. Produced by Studio Ghibli, which created Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, this sweeping epic redefines the limits of animated storytelling. It also marks another triumph for director Isao Takahata, acclaimed for his war-themed animated film Grave of the Fireflies (1988). The Tale of Princess Kaguya was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the 87th Academy Awards.

AsiaConnect is an affinity group established to promote Asian cultures and represent the interests, needs and concerns of Asian faculty, staff and students.

This event is made possible by the generous support of Beyond Normal Films Cinema Arts Project, Downs Automotive, Inc., McLean County India Association, Normal Theater, Office of the President, Dr. and Mrs. SJ Chang, Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology, Crossroads Project, Department of Politics and Government, Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, MECCPAC, Dean of Students Diversity Initiative, Office of International Studies and Programs, and Office of the Provost.

ICC International Fair Set April 18

Illinois Central College will be hosting its 11th annual International Fair from noon to 3 p.m. April 18 in the ICC East Peoria Campus cafeteria.

The fair offers an opportunity to meet some of ICC’s international students and celebrate their cultures through music, entertainment, food samples, and dancing.

The event is open to the public, and families are encouraged to attend. Admission is $2, with children 12 years and younger admitted for free.

Food samples will be available for a modest fee. All proceeds will go toward an international F-1 student scholarship fund.

Some of ICC’s international students will also provide a fashion show, exhibiting traditional costumes from their home countries. Other entertainment will include Kenyan dancing and a martial arts demonstration. A few of the countries providing food samples and informational booths include: China, Thailand, Japan, and Mexico. Global Village of Peoria Heights will display a selection of coffees, chocolates, clothing, and gifts for sale from developing countries.

“ICC enjoys a rich cultural exchange with the nearly 200 international students representing 55 different countries who attend each year,” said ICC Director of International Education Dr. Barbara Burton. “Our purpose is to extend this learning experience to the community through the International Fair so everyone can appreciate world cultures other than their own while being entertained.”

Roxanne: Local Dance Club Offers Rich Mix of Cultural Expression

Fata Dance Club will conduct its fifth summer session in Bloomington, offering a rich palette of "dance cultures" from throughout the globe.

"Fata" stands for "from Africa to America." The club teaches dances from African, Caribbean, and Latin cultures as well as jazz, hip-hop, and praise dance, according to club director Roxanne Ledford, "without bias."

"We encourage all races cultures and skill levels to join as a way to network, learn about each other and unify," Ledford said.

"I'm originally from Chicago where I attended Columbia college dance major. I danced with a couple of dance troupes and worked for a few afterschool programs.

"We service youth ages 3-15 and adults 16 and up every summer and during special events such as Worldwide Day of Play and Culture Night. Unfortunately we are not funded by any organizations, but it feels good to have been able to pull this off with the help from the parents who enroll their kids as a member."

A one-time membership fee pays for dance space, costumes, music, props, and snacks, and the club also conducts fundraising activities to help supplement Ledford's own out-of-pocket costs.

"No one gets paid at all," Ledford stressed. "It's challenging and sometimes overwhelming, but worth the outcome. We perform for (CultureFest) every year as a way to show what the group has learned."

Open enrollment now through May 30. Learn more at https://fatadanceclub.wufoo.com/forms/mq84dff0glq5rl/.

Groups Proclaim 'Not On My Campus' During Solidarity Walk

Bearing a banner that proclaimed, “Not on my campus,” some 1,000 Illinois State University students — mostly fraternity and sorority members — marched Wednesday evening against racism, discrimination, and sexual violence in the wake of recent nationwide controversies over campus fraternal conduct.

The "Solidarity Walk" arose from a discussion of recent events such as the release of a video of a racist chant by the University of Oklahoma's chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Students gathered outside Milner Library, crossed the bridge over College Avenue, and circled the campus quad twice. The line of marchers, three and four across, wrapped halfway around the quad. 

At the end of the walk, many stopped to sign the large banner.

Joe Laskey, president of ISU's Interfraternity Council, maintained “fraternities and sororities are the ones who made the headlines, but this can happen to any organization.”

“We wanted to come together on these issues and support each other.” Senior Vincent Ortiz, president of ISU's Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter, said.

Ortiz, a small-business entrepreneurship major from Batavia, said he would like the march and ISU students' stand against wrongdoing to become "a universal thing supported on other campuses.”

Alex Snowden, coordinator of fraternity and sorority life in the dean of students' office, said he was not aware of any incidents involving ISU organizations, saying the students “wanted to be proactive.”

In remarks before the march, Laskey called on those present to “show their inclusiveness and supportiveness for all” and to “put it in writing … and leave it in writing for the leaders behind you.”

"As leaders, we will not accept any racism or discrimination based on traditions on our campus," he said.

Jordan Owens, a senior in social work from Peoria, carried a sign for his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, that said, “No room for any violence.” Senior Lulu Solorzano of Orland Park, a member of Gamma Phi Omega, whose mascot is a swan, held a sign saying, “Swans believe in acceptance and advocate diversity.”

A retreat this weekend will bring together 83 members of the Greek community to review their values and to reflect on what they're learning about each other.

“We wanted to come together on these issues and support each other.” Senior Vincent Ortiz, president of ISU's Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter, said.

Ortiz, a small-business entrepreneurship major from Batavia, said he would like the march and ISU students' stand against wrongdoing to become "a universal thing supported on other campuses.”

Alex Snowden, coordinator of fraternity and sorority life in the dean of students' office, said he was not aware of any incidents involving ISU organizations, saying the students “wanted to be proactive.”

In remarks before the march, Laskey called on those present to “show their inclusiveness and supportiveness for all” and to “put it in writing … and leave it in writing for the leaders behind you.”

"As leaders, we will not accept any racism or discrimination based on traditions on our campus," he said.

Jordan Owens, a senior in social work from Peoria, carried a sign for his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, that said, “No room for any violence.” Senior Lulu Solorzano of Orland Park, a member of Gamma Phi Omega, whose mascot is a swan, held a sign saying, “Swans believe in acceptance and advocate diversity.”

A retreat this weekend will bring together 83 members of the Greek community to review their values and to reflect on what they're learning about each other.

Local Musician, Food Truck Open for Los Lonely Boys

                                                Marcos Mendez

Twin Citians will be offered a taste of local Latin food and music at Thursday's Los Lonely Boys concert at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.

Not In Our Town: Bloomington/Normal's Marcos Mendez, who also chairs the community advocacy group Conexiones Latinas, will open at 6:30 p.m. for the Texas band, which won a 2005 Grammy as best Pop Vocal Duo/Group. Mendez plans to perform blues, roots, rock, and some Mariachi tunes "mixed in for good measure."

Oogies Food on Wheels, a mobile restaurant, will serve Mexican-inspired foods from 5 to 7 p.m. outside the center. The food truck was launched last year by Kerry and Felipe Urquizo, with help from their three children, Oskar, Olivia, and Gus. Kerry works at Heartland Community College and Felipe is a cook at a local restaurant.

ISU Frats, Sororities Respond to Troubled Image

In light of recent national concerns involving fraternities and sororities and issues regarding discrimination, hazing, and sexual assault, the local Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter and the Interfraternity Council at Illinois State University have come together to enact change.

Members of the Council reflected after a social justice conversation and agreed to adopt anti-discriminatory policies within their governing documents. Members also felt strongly about the need to peacefully demonstrate their commitment to create a safe, diverse, supportive and inclusive environment.

On Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30 pm the Interfraternity Council will be joined by the Fraternity and Sorority Life community in a solidarity walk starting in Milner Plaza and continuing through the Quad. The walk is open to all who share this same vision for Illinois State University and all university campuses. All those interested in participating are encouraged to wear anything that represents Illinois State University, their registered student organization or their fraternal organization.

The demonstration will end with a signed pledge to reflect on the positive changes colleges are capable of, and a commitment to reach across differences to create those changes. Official hashtags for the demonstration are ‪#‎NotOnOurCampus‬ and ‪#‎NotOnAnyCampus.

Earlier this month,  a video went viral of the Oklahoma University chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) on a bus laughing, pumping their fists, and clapping as they chant, “There will never be a ni**** in SAE. You can hang him by a  tree but he will never sign with me. There will never be a ni**** in SAE.” The chant was set to the well-known tune, “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

The students were later forced to move out of their frat house and expelled from the chapter, which then was disbanded.

The national headquarters of Sigma Alpha Epsilon -- which disbanded its University of Oklahoma chapter. The national headquarters for the fraternity announced a new initiative last week aimed to “combat instances of racial discrimination and insensitivity” among its members.

The plan includes hiring a director of diversity and inclusion, which the fraternity says is the first position of its kind at any major fraternity; requiring members to participate in mandatory diversity education, which will begin with an online certification training program; creating a toll-free telephone hotline for members to call and report troubling behavior; and appointing a national advisory committee on diversity and inclusion.

The initiative does not include any plans to aggressively recruit minority members. About 20 percent of SAE’s members identify as “non-Caucasian,” the fraternity said. Only about 3 percent of its members are black.

Black and Latino Male Summit April 11 at ISU

Illinois State University Diversity Advocacy is hosting this year’s Black and Latino Male Summit on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Bone Student Center. This summit is a one-day conference focused on issues and community building of black and Latino males at Illinois State University.

This year’s theme is “Men of Steel,” which will feature five pillars including accountability, nobility, resiliency, scholarship, and unity.

Brandon Cottrell, a senior biological sciences major, participated in the summit last year. He said the summit is geared toward black and Latino males, but is open to anyone who is interested in attending. Cottrell enjoyed the support from other participants and found his experience enlightening. He said he learned “how valuable education is for producing and building up black and Latino leaders in our communities.”

Jaylon Joyner, a sophomore athletic training major, also participated in last year’s summit. “All students should attend the summit because it is a great way to meet new people and gain knowledge on different issues that go on in the black and Latino community,” he said. Joyner gained a better understanding for the cultural diversity of the black and Latino communities through group discussions and speakers. He said the summit taught him how “important it is to network and serve the community.” He found this experience to be incredibly motivating.

Registration for the summit is required, and applications are being accepted through April 3. For any questions about the Black and Latino Male Summit or upcoming programs, call Diversity Advocacy at (309) 438-8968(309) 438-8968.

School "Climate" Survey Questions Illinois LGBT Safety

Recently released findings conclude that Illinois schools are not "safe" for most LGBT secondary school students. In addition, the findings indicate that many LGBT students in Illinois lack access to LGBT inclusive curriculum nor are they protected by comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment school policies.

GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) released its eighth biennial National School Climate Survey report late last year. The report and subsequent state snapshot results  include information about LGBT student's experiences in middle and high schools across the country, along with demographic and school characteristic differences and information about changes in school climate over time.

The survey looked at the indicators of a negative school climate for LGBT students such as hearing anti-LGBT remarks, experiencing harassment and assault and anti-LGBT discrimination at school. The survey also examined the ways that a hostile school climate effects LGBT students' academic achievement, educational aspirations and psychological well-being and whether LGBT students reported their experiences of victimization to school officials and/or family members and how the adults responded. In addition, the survey looked at the degree to which LGBT students have access to Gay-Straight Alliances or similar clubs, school anti-bullying/harassment policies, supportive staff/teachers and/or curricula that are inclusive of LGBT-related topics.

Illinois' report showed that the vast majority of LGBT students reported hearing anti-LGBT remarks at school. Ninety-two percent heard the word "gay" in a negative way, while 85 percent heard homophobic remarks such as "fag" or "dyke." Eighty percent heard negative remarks about gender expression while 56 percent heard negative remarks about transgender people. LGBT students also reported hearing anti-LGBT language from school staff—25 percent heard staff make negative remarks about someone's gender expression while 17 percent heard staff make homophobic remarks.

Although most LGBT students Illinois have been harassed or assaulted at school, 57 percent of those students never reported it to school staff and 46 percent have never told family members about the incident(s). Of those who did report being harassed or assaulted to staff/teachers, only 32 percent of those reports have resulted in effected intervention by school authorities.

As for in-school resources and supports for LGBT students, only 11 percent attend a school with comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment policies that included protections for students based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. Although LGBT students in Illinois feel unsafe at school, most could identify at least one staff member supportive of LGBT students, however, only 67 percent could identify six or more supportive staff members. Also, only 22 percent were taught positive representations of LGBT people, history and events and 45 percent couldn't access LGBT content on school computers.

To ensure that LGBT students in Illinois feel safe and welcome across the state; GLSEN urges Illinois school leaders, education policymakers and other adults charged with making schools safe for all students to implement comprehensive school anti-bullying policies, provide professional development for school staff concerning LGBT issues, increase access to LGBT-inclusive curricula and resources and be supportive of Gay-Straight Alliances.

"Progress is being made in our nation's schools. But when more than half of LGBT youth continue to report unsafe or even dangerous school climates, we all have a responsibility to act," said Eliza Byard, executive director of GLSEN. "The large number of students who reported hearing anti-LGBT language and who continue to experience verbal and physical harassment in Illinois schools is unacceptable. GLSEN calls on everyone in Illinois to join us in ensuring students and educators are given the resources and support to create safe and affirming school environments. All members of the school community need to feel empowered to intervene when others are undermining these efforts."

The survey looked at the indicators of a negative school climate for LGBT students such as hearing anti-LGBT remarks, experiencing harassment and assault and anti-LGBT discrimination at school. The survey also examined the ways that a hostile school climate effects LGBT students' academic achievement, educational aspirations and psychological well-being and whether LGBT students reported their experiences of victimization to school officials and/or family members and how the adults responded. In addition, the survey looked at the degree to which LGBT students have access to Gay-Straight Alliances or similar clubs, school anti-bullying/harassment policies, supportive staff/teachers and/or curricula that are inclusive of LGBT-related topics.

Illinois' report showed that the vast majority of LGBT students reported hearing anti-LGBT remarks at school. Ninety-two percent heard the word "gay" in a negative way, while 85 percent heard homophobic remarks such as "fag" or "dyke." Eighty percent heard negative remarks about gender expression while 56 percent heard negative remarks about transgender people. LGBT students also reported hearing anti-LGBT language from school staff—25 percent heard staff make negative remarks about someone's gender expression while 17 percent heard staff make homophobic remarks.

Although most LGBT students Illinois have been harassed or assaulted at school, 57 percent of those students never reported it to school staff and 46 percent have never told family members about the incident(s). Of those who did report being harassed or assaulted to staff/teachers, only 32 percent of those reports have resulted in effected intervention by school authorities.

As for in-school resources and supports for LGBT students, only 11 percent attend a school with comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment policies that included protections for students based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. Although LGBT students in Illinois feel unsafe at school, most could identify at least one staff member supportive of LGBT students, however, only 67 percent could identify six or more supportive staff members. Also, only 22 percent were taught positive representations of LGBT people, history and events and 45 percent couldn't access LGBT content on school computers.

To ensure that LGBT students in Illinois feel safe and welcome across the state; GLSEN urges Illinois school leaders, education policymakers and other adults charged with making schools safe for all students to implement comprehensive school anti-bullying policies, provide professional development for school staff concerning LGBT issues, increase access to LGBT-inclusive curricula and resources and be supportive of Gay-Straight Alliances.

"Progress is being made in our nation's schools. But when more than half of LGBT youth continue to report unsafe or even dangerous school climates, we all have a responsibility to act," said Eliza Byard, executive director of GLSEN. "The large number of students who reported hearing anti-LGBT language and who continue to experience verbal and physical harassment in Illinois schools is unacceptable. GLSEN calls on everyone in Illinois to join us in ensuring students and educators are given the resources and support to create safe and affirming school environments. All members of the school community need to feel empowered to intervene when others are undermining these efforts."