Diversity and Inclusion

Indigenous Knowledge Pathways and Food Sovereignty: A Cooking Demonstration

Thursday, May 22 | 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Esch Hurvis Center for Spiritual and Religious Life

In this cooking demonstration, Chef Francisco Alegria uses the wisdom passed down to him from his Menominee elders to honor indigenous food sovereignty. 

Through this demonstration and conversation, we will learn about decolonial indigenous cooking practices. Those in attendance can participate in the cooking, eat, and be in fellowship with others during this time.

Francisco Alegria is a trained Japanese Hibachi chef. He grew up on the Menominee Reservation and has cooked for the Biden Administration, among many others.

Panel

Monday, May 5 | 2-5 p.m.
Warch 226-Mead Witter

Open panel discussions on the MMIW epidemic and its impacts on Native communities.

Tabling

Monday, May 5 | 3-5 p.m.
Warch Lobby—Near Mail Room

Posters explaining the issues of indigenous people who have gone missing and been murdered across the nation over the years and how it has had detrimental effects on the affected communities. There will also be resources on a university, county, state, tribal, and federal level, along with organizations that specialize in this type of work and how allies are able to help. At 5 p.m., we will go outside and hang up red dress around campus and also tie red ribbons across campus as well.

The Blu’s Food Pantry Spring Term Request Form is open for pantry orders to be placed! The pantry provides food, hygiene products, and basic school supplies for students with need. Students can submit one order per week using this Microsoft Form.

If you are interested in donating to Blu’s Food Pantry, please place non-perishable donations in the boxes located around campus. Boxes are located in Warch, Memorial, Steitz, and the Conservatory lobby. If you have any questions or notice a donation box needs to be emptied, please contact diversitycenter@lawrence.edu.

Monday, March 31 | 5-7 p.m.
Wriston Auditorium (224)

For this year’s Trans Day of Visibility, S. Bear Bergman will come to campus to perform his solo show “The First Jew in Canada,” the story of a young transgender man named Jacques LaFargue set off from France to what is now Quebec City, determined to make for himself a new life.

In a world quick to claim that trans identities are a modern phenomenon, Jacques’s story stands as a testament to the long, rich history of trans people. This show is not just a recounting of historical facts; it’s a Midrash—an exploration of the “whys” and the silences in between. It is a celebration of lineage—or yichus—for those who’ve been told they have none.

“The First Jew in Canada” is more than just a performance; it’s an opportunity to connect with our past, understand our present, and imagine a more inclusive future. Whether you’re seeking knowledge, kinship, or simply a compelling story, this event promises to enlighten, engage, and inspire.

How Historical Attitudes Towards Childhood Shape Social Hierarchies

By Stacey Patton

Thursday, March 13 | 7:30 p.m.
Wriston Auditorium

About the Talk: Before categories of difference became the primary framework for organizing society in the western world, another system of hierarchy played a foundational role in shaping attitudes towards power and social order: perceptions of childhood. 

Historically, children were often viewed as inherently flawed, in need of correction through strict discipline, labor, and, in some cases, severe punishment. In medieval and early modern Europe, this mindset justified practices such as corporal punishment, forced labor, and even public executions of children, reinforcing a cultural acceptance of control over the most vulnerable. 

As European societies expanded into the Americas, these frameworks influenced emerging systems of social stratification and control. The treatment of children, especially in contexts where discipline and forced labor were routine, helped establish broader ideas about who could be controlled, punished, and deemed less than fully autonomous. Over time, these attitudes informed colonial policies, labor practices, and legal structures that reinforced distinctions between different groups. 

About Dr. Stacey Patton

Dr. Stacey Patton is an award-winning journalist whose writings have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Al Jazeera, The Chronicle of Higher Education, BBC News, Black Enterprise, NewsOne, and other outlets. She has appeared on CNN, ABC News, MSNBC, Democracy Now, and Fox News. She is also the creator of Spare the Kids, an online portal designed to teach about the harms of physical punishment, and the forthcoming 3D medical animation app, When You Hit Me, which promises to be a game changer for child abuse prevention. For her child advocacy work, Dr. Patton was awarded the 2024 Child Advocacy Award from the American Psychological Association. Dr. Patton is also a research associate at Morgan State University and teaches digital journalism at Howard University.

Thursday, Feb. 27 | 6-7:30 p.m.
Warch 325-Pusey Room

This event offers a valuable opportunity for students, staff, faculty, and community members to come together, connect, and foster meaningful relationships. Whether you’re looking to expand your professional network, engage in insightful discussions, or simply build connections with others who share similar experiences, this event is designed to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

Join us for an evening of collaboration, empowerment, and community building!