These days, it can be hard to have meaningful conversations about challenging topics with people we disagree with. This week is BC\u2019s first ever Voices United \u2013 A Week of Campus-Wide and Civic Conversation. Read on for Wednesday and Thursday\u2019s events!
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What: Voices United – A Week of Campus-Wide and Civic Conversation<\/strong> Join us for these free events, open to all students, faculty, staff, and community. No registration needed. Most are both in-person and online.<\/p>\n Wednesday\u2019s events:<\/strong><\/p>\n Learning to Unlearn: Reading between the Lines and Countering Media Bias, with Salam Awad<\/strong> (Political Science) \u2013 Faculty Only<\/strong> Election Disinformation: What It Is, Why It\u2019s Dangerous, and What We Can Do to Fight It, with WA Secretary of State Steve Hobbs<\/strong> Fostering a More Inclusive Democracy, with WA Secretary of State Steve Hobbs<\/strong> Let\u2019s Get onto the Stage: Unpacking Prejudice through Narratives, with Dr. Li Liu (Communication Studies) \u2013 Faculty Only<\/strong> Student Conversations \u2013 Students Only<\/strong> Thursday\u2019s events:<\/strong><\/p>\n Let’s Talk: Building a Movement For All, with Manu Meel, CEO of BridgeUSA<\/strong> Fostering the Campus Culture We Want, with Manu Meel<\/strong> Bringing Civic Conversations to the Classroom, with Manu Meel (BridgeUSA) \u2013 Faculty Only<\/strong> The Power of Students to Build Bridges and Make Change, with Manu Meel (BridgeUSA) \u2013 Students Only<\/strong> Fostering Trust, Healing, & Accountability through Restorative Practices \u2013 Faculty & Staff Only<\/strong>
\nWhen: May 22-26<\/strong>
\nWhere: In-Person and Virtual<\/strong>
\nLearn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nWhen: Wednesday, May 24, 10:30-11:20 a.m.
\nWhere: D106 & Zoom<\/a>.
\nThis session will explore media and social media representations and help give participants tools to effectively counter media bias, stereotypical tropes, and Eurocentric narratives about the world around us, to better understand each other through authentic narratives and inclusive approaches.<\/p>\n
\nWhen: Wednesday, May 24, 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
\nWhere: N201 & Zoom<\/a>.
\nWashington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs discusses how proactive messaging and outreach, increased voter education and engagement, and the power of the vote each play a key role in fighting election disinformation.<\/p>\n
\nWhen: Wednesday, May 24, 12:45pm-1:45pm
\nWhere: B201 (Board Room) & Zoom<\/a>.
\nJoin Washington State\u2019s Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs, for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion on voter engagement and civic participation. Talk to Secretary Hobbs about concerns and barriers to voting that many people face, and explore ways, through open and honest dialogue, that our community can help create positive change and foster a more inclusive democracy.<\/p>\n
\nWhen: Wednesday, May 24, 2:00-2:50 p.m.
\nWhere: D106 & Zoom<\/a>.
\nIn this session, participants will go through a learning activity that involves preparing for a skit, staging the skit, and finally, reflecting upon the skit. The preparation, staging and reflection process is structured using relational support dialogue (RSD) model, which highlights the link between invisible presence of power and visible communication behaviors. Key questions are asked and answered to guide such reflection and expression. Participants will have opportunity express their thoughts and feelings both individually and in small group settings. This session is suitable for students, faculty and staff members.<\/p>\n
\nWhen: Wednesday, May 24, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
\nWhere: C130A
\nJoin one (or more) of three student-focused conversations about how to make campus a safe, welcoming, and judgment-free environment for BC students to discuss campus, state, and even international issues that are important to them. These are nonpartisan, open-to-different-perspectives conversations about how we have conversations at Bellevue College and across our communities.<\/p>\n
\nWhen: Thursday, May 25, 10:30 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
\nWhere: N201 & Zoom<\/a>
\nJoin Manu Meel, the CEO of BridgeUSA, to discuss how we can build a new vision for our democracy at Bellevue College. A vision that prioritizes curiosity, open-mindedness, and understanding for those we disagree with. Manu is building a youth-led movement with 70 college and high school chapters across the country.<\/p>\n
\nWhen: Wednesday, May 24, 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
\nWhere: B201 (Board Room) & Zoom<\/a>
\nJoin Manu Meel from BridgeUSA \u2013 a growing movement that centers students to promote depolarizing dialogue on campuses \u2013 for an informal conversation about how each of us can play a role in shaping our civic culture here at Bellevue College, how we balance free speech with safety, and how we contribute to the community we want \u2013 both on and off campus.<\/p>\n
\nWhen: Thursday, May 25, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
\nWhere: D106 & Zoom<\/a>
\nJoin us for a special event featuring the founder of BridgeUSA, a national organization dedicated to promoting constructive dialogue and civic engagement on college campuses. This is event designed for faculty members who are interested in learning how to bring meaningful conversations and civic participation to their classrooms and campus.<\/p>\n
\nWhen: Thursday, May 25, 1:45-2:45 p.m.
\nWhere: C130A
\nWhile in college, Manu Meel helped to found a student group that later expanded into a nationwide movement for civic engagement, BridgeUSA. This fast-growing student movement focuses on how we bridge our differences and change the way we talk about politics. Come chat with Manu and learn more about building bridges with those around you even when it seems impossible or unproductive. Explore the power you have as students to make a change on your campus and in your communities.<\/p>\n
\nWhen: Thursday, May 25, 2-5 p.m.
\nWhere: B207 (Social Justice Center)
\nGain tools to respond to harm & build community while discussing relevant scenarios and restorative principles.
\nRegister here<\/a>.<\/p>\n