For the Reporter

The public is invited to celebrate and explore diversity and contemporary social justice issues during Unity Through Diversity Week at Highline College, April 25–29.

Now in its 19th year, the weeklong program looks at the diversity of the sSouth King County community in all forms: race, gender, class, sexual orientation, ability and religion.

United by the theme “Rewiring Our Minds: Reconnecting Our Roots Across Invisible Borders,” Unity Through Diversity Week will include free lectures and workshops by guest speakers and campus experts.

“This year’s program focuses on dismantling what is blocking humanity from connecting authentically,” said Doris Martinez, who is one of the organizers of the event. “With the various challenges our global community faces, our planning committee is deeply committed to providing our community the space to partake in conversations regarding various topics highlighted throughout the week, but also to celebrate the strengths of our diverse intersections.”

Unity Through Diversity Week is sponsored by Multicultural Affairs and the Center for Leadership and Service. All events are free and open to the public.

Highline’s main campus is midway between Seattle and Tacoma at South 240th Street and Pacific Highway South (Highway 99). The address is 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines.

Event schedule:

Monday, April 25

9–10:30 a.m.
Lecture by Olin Tezcatlipoca, Director of Mexica Movement: “Learning and Teaching the Truth of the Last 500 Years of Colonialism”
Building 7

1:30–3 p.m.
Workshop by Olin Tezcatlipoca, Director of Mexica Movement: “Learning and Teaching Truth As a Solution to the Colonized Minds That We Have Inherited”
Building 8, Mt. Constance room

Tuesday, April 26

10–11:30 a.m.
Lecture by Imam Benjamin Shabaaz: “Intersections of Oppression: An African American Muslim Perspective”
Building 7

11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Poetry reading by Rick Barot
Building 8, Mt. Constance room

12:30–3 p.m.
Workshop by LGBTQIA Taskforce: “LGBTQIA Safe Zones Inclusivity Training Program, Part 1”
Building 2

Wednesday, April 27

11 a.m.–12:50 p.m.
Workshop by Barbara Talkington, Highline Multicultural Leadership Advisor, and Richelle Enriquez, Associated Students of Highline College Vice President: “Bystander Intervention”
Building 2

Thursday, April 28

11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Lecture and film presented by Tracy Rector of Longhouse Media: “Indigenous Thoughts on Borders: Clearwater”
Building 7

1:30–3 p.m.
Workshop by Jeffon Seely: “The Leap: From Ordinary to Extraordinary”
Building 8, Mt. Constance room

Friday, April 29

10–11:30 a.m.
Lecture by authors Robin Yassin-Kassab and Leila Al-Shami: “Syrians Also Have Dreams: Refugees, Islamophobia, and Media Misrepresentations of the Syrian War”
Building 7

2–4 p.m.
Workshop by Dr. Leticia Nieto and Yvette D. Murrell: “Exploring Social Interactions Beyond Invisible Borders”
Building 8, Mt. Constance room