It is an idea the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh daily reinforces: Being “green” is only one dimension of being “sustainable.”
For Julian Agyeman the notion of being sustainable in multiple, intersecting and interdependent ways – strongly connecting environmental sustainability with social justice, for example — is the root principle of an entire concept and philosophy. He calls is “Just Sustainabilities.”
“In theory, we have the science to be green and lean and sustainable, but what we don’t have is the social science on ‘How do we be more socially just?’” said Agyeman, Ph.D., professor and chair of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning at Tufts University, Boston-Medford.
“Very few universities are thinking about social justice and the social equity parts of sustainability,” he said. “In addition to environmental quality, how are we going to have human equality… The foundation of my concept is living within environmental limits. So, basically how do we do what we do on this planet in a much more fair and equal way.”
Agyeman will present “Just Sustainabilities: Re-imagining (E)quality, Living Within Limits” on Tuesday, April 3 at 11:30 a.m. as part of the diverse, engaging and free lineup of speakers, events and documentary film showings during UW Oshkosh’s fourth-annual Social Justice Week, from April 2 through April 5.
The annual week is designed to introduce campus and community participants to a variety of thought leaders and topics related to social justice locally, in Wisconsin and nationally.
In addition to Agyeman’s talk, this year’s four-day schedule includes presentations, exhibits, discussions and documentary films focusing on Indian mascots in America, ending hate, employment law, media representations of women, the gay rights movement and community organizing.
All events are free and open to the public, and all take place inside UW Oshkosh’s Reeve Memorial Union.
“This year’s programming came from input from the campus community,” said Pamela Lassiter, UW Oshkosh director of Equity and Affirmative Action. “Individuals submitted ideas and suggested speakers to highlight work being conducted on the campus. We have added a film series to this year’s week to facilitate discussion for a different source.”
The 2012 Social Justice Week schedule includes:
Monday, April 2
- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Room 306: Greetings and Introduction to Social Justice Week by Chancellor Richard H. Wells… Followed by “Title IX Briefing: Relevance to the Campus and Classroom – Review of Current Cases and Discussion of Campus Policy” Facilitated by Pamela Lassiter, UW Oshkosh director, Equity & Affirmative Action and Sharon Kipetz, Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs.
- 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Room 215: “Stop the Hate 1: Claim It!” Jacque Bollinger.
- 3:30 p.m. to 4:30pm, Room 215: Career Conversations: Social Justice, a discussion led by Jaime Page-Stadler, director of UW Oshkosh Career Services.
- 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Room 213: “Black Love and Relationships in the Black Community,” a student panel of African-American Studies minors; Discussion facilitated by Dr. Norlisha Crawford, UW Oshkosh director of African-American Studies.
- 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Room 201: “Legalize Gay – The Civil Rights Movement for a Generation,” a documentary film by Christopher Hines.
Tuesday, April 3
- 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Room 215: “Stop the Hate I: Claim It!” presented by Chris Durkin & Maryne Taute.
- 10: 30 a.m. to Noon, Room 215: “Stop the Hate II: Make the Change Happen,” presented by Elena Petrova & Kim Charniak.
- 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Room 202: “Just Sustainabilities: Re-Imagining (E)quality, Living within Limits” Dr. Julian Agyeman, professor and chair of Urban & Environmental Policy and Planning, Tufts University.
- 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., Room 201: “The History of Indian Boarding Schools,” discussion facilitated by Nicole Butt, Bear Consulting.
- 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Room 214: “Bittersweet Winds,’ an exhibit on Indian mascot and popular culture racism (in Reeve 2nd floor hallway window boxes); Discussion on Exhibit to follow in Room 214.
- 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Room 306: “Black in Latin America,” a documentary film by Henry Louis Gates.
Wednesday, April 4
- 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Room 215: “Stop the Hate II: Make the Change Happen.”
- 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Room 306: “Community Organizing 101,” a workshop facilitated by Stephanie Gyldenvand of ESTHER, member of the Sociology Club, and Paul Van Auken, Ph.D., professor, UW Oshkosh Department of Sociology.
- 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Room 201: “Miss Representation” – a documentary film by Jennifer Siebel Newsom. The film will be facilitated by Victoria Stimac, UW Oshkosh Assistant Athletic Director, and Emily Dery, Community Outreach & Education Coordinator of Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services. The film is co-sponsored by the UW Oshkosh Women’s Center.
Thursday, April 5
- 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., Room 202: Employment Law Update, James Macy of Davis & Kuelthau Attorneys
- 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Room 306: “Overview of Act 31 – Indian Education: It’s the Law!,” presented by David O’Connor, education consultant for American Indian Studies Program, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
- 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Room 220: “Dark Girls” – a documentary film by Bill Duke and Chassin Berry; The story of color, gender and race; followed by a student panel with discussion facilitated by Dr. Al Felice, Licensed Psychologist.
- 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Room 215: “Las Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo and the Search for Identity,” a documentary film presented by Troy Perkins, coordinator, UW Oshkosh Radio-TV-Film.
- 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Room 201: “Beloved Community,” an interactive activity and discussion examining labels and socialized stereotypes, sponsored by the LGBTQ Resource Center.
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