Ethnic Studies Sponsored Events

Debunking Myths about US Immigrants presentation

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

Dr. Kwakiutl L. Dreher Director of  The Bell Affair, The Making of The Bell Affair. Wednesday, February 22, 4:30 – 6:00 pm,  252 Sykes Student Union. Film Screening of The Bell Affair, Thursday, February 23, 4:30 – 6:30 pm,  Sykes Theatre.

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.