Skidmore students launch Social Justice Week
Students from Skidmore College have organized a Social Justice Week, designed to increase awareness among their peers and the public regarding challenges to fairness and justice worldwide. The activities, many of which are open to the public free of charge, run March 24-31.
"The goal of Social Justice Week is to raise awareness about various injustices and to educate college students about how they can make a difference," said Jennifer Au, a 2011 Skidmore graduate who is working with AmeriCorps Vista to combat poverty is Saratoga Springs. "The focus of this week will be on how college students can change thought into action in keeping with our week's slogan: 'Creative Action Matters.' "
Among the events designed specifically for students is an Oxfam Hunger Banquet in
which participants are "assigned" an income level and then are fed accordingly. The
food served can range from the bare minimum to extravagance, and the contrasting results
are "often an eye-opener," notes Skidmore sophomore and banquet organizer Rebecca
Polley. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about hunger worldwide. According
to Oxfam literature, "One in seven people goes hungry. But hunger is not about too
many people and too little food. Hunger is about power. Its roots lie in inequalities,
in access to resources. The results are illiteracy, poverty, war, and the inability
of families to grow our buy food."
The following Social Justice Week events are open to the public free of charge:
Saturday, March 24
A Showcase for Social Justice
Skidmore College will kick off its Social Justice Week with student performances
and descriptions of the week's events.
8 p.m., Filene Recital Hall, Filene Hall
Monday, March 26
Panel Discussion on Hunger
Learn about the different causes of hunger in the world from perspectives ranging
from science to economics. Panelists include Skidmore faculty and students and CROP
Walk Committee Chair Ken Klotz.
8:30p.m, Emerson Auditorium, Palamountain Hall
Tuesday, March 27
Domestic Violence and the Legal System
Speakers include Lyn A. Murphy, from the Saratoga County District Attorney's Office,
and Christie Keegan, from the Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center in Saratoga
Springs.
7 p.m., Emerson Auditorium, Palamountain Hall
Tuesday March 27
Documentary Film, "Crime After Crime"
This film depicts the legal battle to free Debbie Peagler, a woman imprisoned for
over a quarter century due to her connection to the murder of the man who abused her.
Followed by Q&A with advocates and attorneys.
8:30 p.m., the Spa, Case Center
Friday, March 30
Fair-Trade Market
Come and learn about changing how we shop and what we eat, and what you can do to
combat slavery by altering your consumer habits.
10a.m.-4p.m., Case Center, second floor
Friday, March 30
Speaker on Human Trafficking
Learn about the problem of human trafficking and what we can do to stop it. Speakers
include musician and activist Courtney Wong.
7 p.m., the Spa, Case Center
For more information email vista@skidmore.edu.
