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UW-Eau Claire to Host April 28 Forum on Race and Racial Equity

RELEASED: April 16, 2009

EAU CLAIRE — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire will host a discussion about race and racial equity from 7-9 p.m. April 28 at Stella Blues in downtown Eau Claire.

In the forum, "Can We Talk About It? - A Campus and Community Discussion about Race and Racial Equity in Eau Claire," members of the campus and greater Eau Claire communities will discuss race-related topics, such as the role race plays in American life, how the experiences of people of color differ from white people, how lives and communities are affected by racial bias, and how people should talk with each other about race-related issues.

The forum will begin with brief presentations by panelists with varying experiences and interests, followed by discussion among panelists and audience members.

Presenters include:

  • Dr. David Shih, associate professor of English and Diversity Fellow at UW-Eau Claire, will introduce basic concepts of race and privilege.
  • Evan Xiong, director of the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, will speak about the work of the association and the lives of Hmong people in Eau Claire.
  • Mimi Vollmar will speak about her experiences as an African-American attorney and Eau Claire community member.
  • Dr. Jesse Dixon, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at UW-Eau Claire, Vietnam veteran and community member, will share his experiences and those of the students of color with whom he works in Eau Claire.
  • Mireya Sigala de Kirby, a UW-Eau Claire alumna who works as an adjudicator with the Department of Workforce Development and has worked as a Spanish-English interpreter and translator, will talk about her experiences and those of the Hispanic people with whom she has worked.

Dr. Don Christian, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UW-Eau Claire, will introduce speakers and moderate the discussion.

For more information, contact Christian at 715-836-2542 or Teresa O'Halloran at 715-836-2387.

Event sponsors are the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, UW-Eau Claire Affirmative Action Office and the UW-Eau Claire College of Arts and Sciences

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JB

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