Started in 1998 by students who wanted to raise awareness, North Central is holding its 18th annual Anti-Hate week starting the week of Oct. 26.
The five-day campaign has usually been held on the first week of November and consists of a variety of events, including a keynote speaker to educate students about the types of discrimination and oppression that individuals may face in our society today.
The week is heavily organized by students, and different organizations help plan the events that occur throughout the week.
This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Omi Osun Joni L. Jones and will focus on the “6 Rules For Allies,” which will help individuals take accountability for their actions and reach a greater understanding of what an ally is. Jones is an associate professor of performance studies in the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
The address will be held in Smith Hall at Old Main on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Admission is free and the address is open to the public.
This year, Anti-Hate Week will kick off with the Oxfam Hunger Banquet at 6 p.m. in the Harold and White Activities Center. All attendees will randomly be assigned a table and meal to mirror how some people are born into poverty and prosperity with only the luck of the draw dividing the two.
Other activities that will take place during the week include a student panel titled “Unpacking Political Correctness” discussing topics such as microagressions. The discussion will start at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27 in the Harold and Eva White Activities Center.
That night, there will be a second panel called “Steps Toward Religious Understanding.” The panel is sponsored by the Office of Ministry and Service and will feature representatives from the Muslim, Sikh and Christian faith.
The final event will be a theater workshop hosted by alumnus that will again focus on microaggressions in an enjoyable manner. The workshop will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 29 in the Harold and Eva White Activity Center.
In the past, Anti-Hate week has featured events such as the Wall of Hate, where students were encouraged to write derogatory words that have been said to them and to make a pledge in addition to the Tunnel of Oppression, a multimedia walk-through room that was designed to challenge people’s pre-existing ideas of oppression.
