Saint Anselm College Peace Colloquium

Complexity of Darfur Crisis

Karen Kelly — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 13:51:56 +0000

I noticed that no one had posted a blog on this paper as assigned. I think there is some confusion about getting to the dashboard to do so. You should be able to just comment now that I am posting this to begin the conversation. Captain Kabir Rabiu stationed in Darfur is very interested in your comments and how the colloquium is going in general. Remember that you can cut and paste from your journal if you had made your entry there.

So, please comment on the paper and relate it to other things you have been studying. And thank you Kabir for providing the paper and responding in the discussion.

A Big - Huge - Missing Piece

Karen Kelly — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:43:02 +0000

I appreciate and acknowledge that I have not studied racism all that much academically and that I have much to learn. Still, I felt that the insinuation that if the Asians, Hispanics, Italians, Irish, etc could elevate themselves economically that so should the Blacks/African-American’s left out a pretty huge missing piece - namely slavery. According to the book, “When the Irish Became White”, the Irish in America went against the demands of the Pope and their homeland that said to help abolish slavery. Rather they supported slavery because they realized that if the slaves were free they would have to compete with them along with other immigrants. I’m guessing that other immigrants were in a similar position. So wasn’t it on the back of the Blacks that these other groups were able to elevate? While other groups had hardships the wounds of slavery are deep and were left out of the conversation.

I was also confused by the “self-loathing” descriptions. I understand hopelessness and anger, and even hatred but I didn’t understand in the readings and discussions how this translated to “self-loathing” of African-Americans. It also feels out of sinc with my experience of African Americans. I get the frustration and hopelessness… but not that.

“Pins and Needles” or Appropriate Sensitivity?

Karen Kelly — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:23:29 +0000

In our discussion of “America’s Original Sin: Racism” today I was struck by several things to ponder. People were talking about a way in which they feel they are careful not to offend “others” and this was referred to as being on “pins and needles.” I felt this had a bit of a negative spin. But I wonder, how is this different than having an appropriate sensitivity and awareness of the people around us who may be different and who’s lives and histories we may not understand. Isn’t it just being considerate to be aware and sensitive. I agree that sometimes being PC (politically correct) can be overdone, but a sincere desire not to offend… is that so bad?

College to Host Peace Colloquium July 1-13

Doug Minor — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 16:22:36 +0000

Saint Anselm College is hosting a Colloquium on Peace, Reconciliation, Social Justice, and Global Citizenship, a two-week, intensive, interdisciplinary, residential program in peace-making, non-violence, and global citizenship, rooted in the teachings of social justice. The program will take place July 1-13, 2007.

The colloquium will combine students from Saint Anselm College and Saint Mary’s University College in Belfast, Northern Ireland to engage in a critical, inter-disciplinary examination of the factors that cause conflict and violence and the strategies that build peace, consensus, and promote the common good.

Drawing from the disciplines of literature, communications, philosophy, history, politics, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, theology, and actual peace and reconciliation experiences, the colloquium will be structured in the style of a professional academic conference providing students an opportunity to interact informally with scholars and experts. This approach facilitates developing the leadership skills required to translate ethical and moral principles into action.

Field trips will enhance the classroom experience and enable students to examine civic dialogue in historic, contemporary, and spiritual settings. Recreational and social activities are designed to facilitate joint study, critical exchange, and intercultural learning.

For more information, including tuition and registration materials, visit the Peace Colloquium Web site at www.anselm.edu/peace.