APPLETON, WIS. — A nine-member student panel will explore the question of identity as it relates to their membership in the Lawrence community in a presentation Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. in the Wriston Art Center auditorium. The event, sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the ethnic studies program, is free and open to the public.
The purpose of the “identity forum,” according to Mohammed Bey, acting assistant dean of students for multicultural affairs, is to encourage conversations about the various forms of identity that define a person — ethnic, gender, racial, religious, regional, and sexual orientation — and enhance understanding, mutual respect and acceptance on which multicultural communities thrive.
“The personal stories that our students are willing to share will undoubtedly link us to our own realization of, ‘who am I,'” said Bey. ” Each person’s own personal story, consisting of past and present experiences, hold intricate pieces to what has developed into that person’s own unique identity.”
Assistant Professor of Art Ben Rinehart will serve as the forum’s moderator.
“I know first hand what it is like to question identity and ultimately what role I serve in society” said Rinehart, who joined the Lawrence faculty in 2006. “Prior to moving to Wisconsin, I identified as a gay male. After getting married to someone of the same sex and having children of my own, my identity continues to shift and evolve.”
Sharing their stories as panelists at the forum will be Marshall Cuffe, Heung Jo (Ernie) Ji, Nidal Kram, Jasmine Peters-McClashie, Kaleesha Rajamantri, Sirgourney Tanner, Hayley Vatch, Chelsea Wantland and Nate Zibart.
