Ethnic Studies Sponsored Events
There is a widely held perspective by political leaders that immigrants contribute to social problems, such as crime, jobs, and the economy. However, studies have shown that immigrants historically have made a positive contribution to U.S society. This talk will evaluate some of the commonly held myths about the impact of immigration today in the U.S.
Past Events
50th Anniversary of Ethnic Studies @ WCU Film Series
History of Ethnic Studies I: The San Francisco State College and University of California-Berkeley
Student Strikes
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024
Presentation and discussion of films of the 1968-69 student strikes for the creation
of a School of Ethnic Studies at SF State and a Third World College at UC Berkeley.
History of Ethnic Studies II: The SF State College Student and Faculty Strike for
Ethnic Studies
Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2024
A film on the involvement of the SF State faculty union in the 1968-69 student strike
for the creation of a School of Ethnic Studies.
The Continued Struggles in Support of Ethnic Studies
Thursday, Apr. 4, 2024
Presentation of a film on the 1999 protests to defend Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley
and a discussion of more recent attacks against Ethnic Studies around the country.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Film Screening: The Bell Affair
Special guest: Dr. Kwakiutl Dreher, film director
Thursday, February 23, 2023 | 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Sykes Theatre
The Bell Affair is an animating film about an historical event, in which Daniel and Mary Bell, living in Washington, DC, sued for their freedom from slavery and won. After the slaveholder threatened to re-enslave Mary and their children, they participated in one of the largest escape attempts in American history, setting off for freedom to Philadelphia on a schooner called The Pearl.
From the Director's Chair: The Making of The Bell Affair
with Dr. Kwakiutl L. Dreher
Wednesday, February 22 | 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Sykes Student Union 252
Dr. Kwakiutl L. Dreher, a director, producer, and writer of The Bell Affair, and Associate Professor of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Dreher is a screenwriter, actor, director, playwright, and author. A native of South Carolina, she writes about African American literature, film, visual, and popular culture. She is the author of Dancing on the White Page: Black Women Entertainers Writing Autobiography (SUNY Press) and numerous articles and essays.
The Bell Affair events are made possible with funding and support from the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the co-sponsorship by the African American Studies Program, African & African American Literature Program, Dowdy Multicultural Center, Frederick Douglass Institute, Sociology Club.