coexistence

2012 Diversity Conference Proposals

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AM Session: 11:00 -12:15 pm

Session Title: Degrees of Separation

Abstract. Keynote Speaker Arsalan Iftikar will join local religious and political leaders to

discuss a variety of perspectives on the intersection of politics and religion. The

conversation will focus on how social and political systems are influenced by religious

beliefs and institutions. They will examine questions such as marriage rights,

separation of church and state, and stereotypes.

Panelists:

Arsalan Iftikar, Rev. James Callan

AM Session: 11 am- 12:15 pm

Session Title: Restoring Dignity

Abstract: Federal policies have had a devastating effect on Native American families.

One of the policies scooped Native American children from their homes and sent them

to residential or boarding schools, which led to generations of dysfunctional individuals.

Several Native American organizations are working to provide services which allow

individuals to cope with the Historical trauma caused by this. Neto Hatinakwe

Onkwehowe (Neto) provides such a service through the arts by engaging community

members in traditional workshops which are led by Native Americans who have found

through spirituality a process to encourage healing. The mission of Neto is “To promote

the arts and culture of the indigenous people of the America’s.” This leads us to find

venues and partners to fulfill our mission. By this we are creating awareness of the

ways in which artistic expressions provide an outlet and way to help heal some of the

wounds of historical trauma.

Presenter Name/Title/Agency

Allan Jamieson, Director, Neto Hatinakwe Onkwehowe

AM Session: 11 am- 12:15 pm

Session Title: Same-Sex Marriage and Spirituality: Our Area's

Rich History and Resources

Abstract: New York became the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage with the

affirmative vote by the state senate on June 24, 2011. However, grass roots efforts to


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pass such a law began many years earlier. In fact, it could be said that Upstate NY and

the City of Rochester played a key part, and had a unique leadership role in advocacy

and inclusion efforts for GLBT people at the levels of both church and state. This talk

will review the Rochester area’s history of gay and lesbian rights groups and worship

communities, and present information on current organizations and individuals whose

efforts have united diverse community members in support of civil and religious equality

for same-sex couples. Special attention will be paid to the interrelationship between

advocacy for civil rights, and advocacy for acceptance of same-sex relationships within

religious organizations.


Jan Gillespie, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, The College

at Brockport

AM Session 11 am- 12:15 pm

Session Title: Religion in the Workplace 101

Abstract: Some employers are very cautious when it comes to religion in the

workplace. Not only do they want to avoid the appearance of mixing faith with business,

but they also want to preempt lawsuits. Lawsuits should be prevented on both sides of

the spectrum. And it is important for employers and their workers to know the law

concerning religion and religious accommodations.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits workplace discrimination based on

religion, ethnicity, country of origin, race and color. Such discrimination is prohibited in

any aspect of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, benefits, training,

job duties, and termination. In addition, an employer must provide a reasonable

accommodation for religious practices unless doing so would result in an undue

hardship. Title VII prohibits retaliation against someone who complains about a

discriminatory practice, files a charge, or assists in an investigation of discrimination in

any way. Employers with 15 or more employees are required to comply with Title VII.

Religious discrimination involves treating a person unfavorably because of his or her

religious beliefs. The law protects not only people who belong to traditional, organized

religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism, but also others

who have sincerely held religious, ethical or moral beliefs.

Presenter Name/Title/Agency:

Leah Smiley, President, The Society for Diversity


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AM Session: 11 am – 12:15 pm

Session Title: The Contemplative in Today’s World

Abstract: The mind is a busy place. How can one be in the world and at the same time,

find contact with the quieted mind, contemplate our current condition? Why is it

important?

Perhaps one fundamental problem in the world is that we don’t talk about what is

missing and what we may wish for; a connection to something greater than ourselves; a

sense of the commonality that we all share. This effort might lead to a truer sense of

compassion. Without it, we see ourselves as separate — the only one, or the best.

State and politics do not speak to the difficulty, nor offer the possibility of another reality.

We will never be able to listen to others, to solve world and local problems, until we first

find a way to listen to ourselves; find out who we really are or aren’t.

This workshop will explore ideas from the presenter’s background in the Gurdjieff Work.

Participants will be given an opportunity to work with a beginning exercise. One form

that Gurdjieff used to teach his students was called Sacred Dance or Movements. We

will watch a short film showing some of these dances.


Nancy Berlove, President, Sign Language Connection, Inc.

AM Session: 11 am – 12:15 pm

Session Title: The Dynamics of Culture, Faith and Family among

Hispanics

Abstract

The United States is currently one of the largest Spanish-speaking countries in the

world. According to the Pew Research Center, the Hispanic population in the US will

triple by 2050 becoming the largest Spanish-speaking country (Passel, J.S. & Cohn, D.,

2008). Because one in five Americans will soon be foreign-born and their children and

grandchildren will account for most of the population growth, it is imperative at we

understand the dynamics that take place as these individuals and families adapt to the

US culture. The process of adaptation and developing cultural competence in a new

cultural setting may follow one of four different patterns: biculturalism, assimilation,

separation or marginalization (Cabassa, L., 2003). These patterns become more


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complex for the children of immigrants and for children who migrated with their families

to a new culture at a young age (Johnson-Mondragon, K., 2008). These generational

differences are a major source of conflict within Hispanic families especially concerning

ethnic identity, values and spirituality. Recognizing these patterns of acculturation is an

important skill for anyone providing services to this diverse population.


Lynette Saenz, Director of Cultural Diversity, Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester

PM Session I: 2:00-3:15 pm

Session Title: Coexistence: Learning about each other from

each other; an Interactive Seminar and Discussion

Abstract: Through thought provoking exercises and activities, this session empowers

students to overcome fears based on stereotypes and misperceptions by listening to

and learning from others.

In life, we will come face to face with someone that thinks differently than ourselves. It is

at this critical moment when we are faced with a choice: do we let our preconceived

notions of this person, due to race, gender, or religion, dictate the way we interact with

him or her? Or do we cast aside biases and openly embrace the other for his or her

beliefs, while sharing our own? The latter is a skill that can be achieved through guided

training and practice which encourages probing the inner self in order to overcome the

barriers we set up, the barriers that prevent us from recognizing and sharing each

other’s humanity. In this day and age, learning to embrace differing views is not only a

skill necessary for our current leaders, but also a must-have for the students that will

become tomorrow’s leaders.

The first part of this session gives participants exposure to the art of dialogue through a

group breakout session focused on listening and learning. The second component

centers on presenting the salient points of establishing effective moderated discussion

regarding issues of spirituality. The final aspect of this session invites participants to

overcome misconceptions or fears they may have about others through a unique

introspection exercise.


Richard DeJesús-Rueff, EdD, Vice President for Student Affairs & Diversity Initiatives,

St. John Fisher College


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Co-Presenter/Title/Agency

George Payne, Program Coordinator and Peace Educator, M.K. Gandhi Institute for

Nonviolence at the University of Rochester.

Co-Presenter/Title/Agency

Mohammad Husain Bawany, Dual major in Biology and Religious Studies, St. John

Fisher College


Session Title: Emma Lazarus: Voice of Liberty

Abstract: Emma Lazarus is best remembered for her poem, “The New Colossus.”

However, in a recent touring exhibit the visited Drake Memorial Library, her fascinating

life and experiences as a Jewish immigrant highlight the late 19th century immigrant

experience, much of which is still relevant today. Many groups sought entrance to the

United States during Emma’s lifetime for a variety of reasons, from escaping war and

famine, to religious persecution, to abject poverty. The outcome for our country was

incredibly positive, as these immigrants or their descendants made immeasurable

advances for the country in arts, politics and sciences.

The United States today continues to be a magnet for those seeking a better life, and as

these new immigrants are assimilated into our society, it can have only positive

outcomes for our culture as a whole. We must keep in mind that most of us came of

immigrant stock, and rather than isolating ourselves or the newcomers, embrace the

fresh ideas and news customs they bring with them.


Pam O'Sullivan, Head of Integrated Public Services, The College at Brockport


Session Title: Understanding Islam and cultural and religious

tolerance: A soldier's perspective

Abstract

“America does not fight for freedom, we fight over resources.” This is a somewhat

oversimplified vision of our involvement in Afghanistan, Iraq and other areas in the

Middle East and around the world. In my travels as a soldier in Europe, the Middle East

and around the United States, I have had a lot of experience with various aspects of the


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spiritual, religious, economic and cultural clashes that often lead our country into conflict

with others. Through this session, I will attempt to illustrate the cultural and religious

biases and economic stimuli that are often the real reason for conflict but is masked with

religious or political overtones with severe social and environmental consequences.


Major Dan Fletcher, Enrollment and Scholarship Office for Army ROTC, The College at

Brockport


Session Title: Where do You Stand: Critical Conversations about

Religion in Schools

Abstract

Separation of church and state within the public school system has always been a “hot

button” issue. The United States of America prides itself on being a melting pot of a

plethora of different cultures and religions but when students want to practice their

religion in public schools, are the schools prepared to cater to their students needs or

even accept their request to practice in the first place? This session will discuss the

controversy surrounding these issues and the implications that schools are portraying

through these decisions.

Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, namely the phrase “one nation under God,” in public

schools is also a religious and political controversy that many Americans have a strong

opinion towards. Should God be mentioned in a public school setting and what

message is America sending towards students who are asked to recite the Pledge who

are not Christian?


Sara Kelly, Assistant Director of Residential Life/Learning Communities, The College at

Brockport

Co- Presenter Name/Title/Agency

Jessica Newby, Resident Assistant and Mathematics Major, The College at Brockport


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Session Title: Honoring Our Proximity and the Spaces Between

us Through Mindful Service

Abstract

This presentation will highlight at least four things: a touch of information about brain

chemistry to illustrate the mind-body connection; to speak of that connection in the

spiritual sense; to show how the integration of mind, body, spirit and relationships is

enhanced through mindfulness; and, to demonstrate some options for practice.

Attendees will have opportunity to experience interconnectedness, to recognize the

possibility of living in the moment in Oneness in a state of non-duality, the possibility of

healing themselves and others — for their own sake; that of their professional and

personal relationships and that of the local and global community — and to live and love

compassionately in joy and generosity.

Neuroplasticity and the interaction between the right and left hemispheres of the brain

as well as the integration of the limbic system and cortex will be discussed in relation to

groundedness and spirituality and one’s ability to relate openly to others and from a

stance of curiosity and welcome as opposed to judgment.

An exercise based on the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program, as developed

by Jon Kabbat Zin and Saki Santorelli, will have individual and interactive components.

We shall discuss how self awareness influences strategies to address to specific

situations of conflict and inclusion.


Gail Ferraioli, Founder, Clarity Mediations

PM Session I: 2:00 - 3:15 pm

Session Title: Creating Diverse Communities: Religion and

Power

Abstract

This workshop provides an overview of frameworks that serves as a tool for

understanding the dynamics of diversity, interpreting how these dynamics impact the

community and lays the foundation for growth and change.

Spirituality is personal, and the impact of religious systems on the US and our

educational systems is critical to building healthy, diverse communities. We all want to


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create inclusion, but getting there is the hard part. In this interactive workshop,

participants will receive a framework for building the inclusive vision of partnership

present in all of our goals and mission statements

Participants will be introduced to two frameworks for understanding power, privilege and

difference. The group will then engage in an interactive process of imagining and

creating a vision for what can be with a focus on local activism to increase spiritual

acceptance and promote. We will explore the personal skills necessary for being an

effective leader and change agent with colleagues and students. This workshop will be

a combination of presentation and small group activities. Participants will leave with

resources to support their efforts on campus.


Betty Garcia Mathewson, Program Director, Opening Doors Diversity Project/Research

Foundation of SUNY

PM Session I: 2:00 – 3:15 pm

Session Title: Religion and Diversity: An Anthropological

Perspective

Abstract: Religion (however difficult it may be to define) is obviously an important social

force in the 21st century, but the academic study of religion continues to be relatively

absent from mainstream American college campuses, relative to, say, the study of

economics and politics. This workshop will explore the problems and promises of

academic religious studies from a comparative and cross-cultural perspective. The

presentation of this perspective will be followed by discussion, small group exercise,

and concluding recommendations.

consider Durkheim’s argument that religion is the soul of society, in light of the 21st

century global system today; and explore how religion is thoroughly entangled with

government and business, and what this implies for the future of human diversity.

Presenter: Neal Keating. Asst Professor, Dept. of Anthropology, The College at

Brockport, SUNY


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PM Session II: 3:30 – 4:45 pm

Session Title: Cultural Diversity and Public Memory in Poland

and Central Europe

Student and faculty participants in the “Experiencing the New Europe” 2012 summer

study abroad program will share their research on the diversity of ethnic culture in the

region that lies in between Germany and Russia, a place where a history of pogroms,

war, occupation and shifting borders has resulted in complex issues regarding collective

identity and the preservation of public memory. The attempted erasure of Jewish and

Roma people and culture, the displacement and relocation of Poles, the repatriation of

once German cities as Polish, and the period of Soviet occupation are among the

complex circumstances of Poland and Central European history and culture. This

presentation will showcase our research and personal experiences investigating

collective identity and public memory in this part of the world, and will argue for the

necessity of memorializing a complicated, painful, and, in some cases, hidden past. A

photography display will illustrate the multiple layers of ethnic heritage

Presenters Name/Title/Agency :

Erica Buck (Undergraduate student, Nazareth College)

Amy Burgett (Undergraduate student, The College at Brockport)

Elizabeth Cramer (Undergraduate student, The College at Brockport)

Nicole Fuller (Undergraduate student, The College at Brockport)

Nicholas Kinney (Undergraduate student, The College at Brockport)

Donna Kowal (Faculty, The College at Brockport)

PM Session II 3:30 – 4:45 pm

Session Title: Freedom of Religion and Indigenous Peoples

Abstract: This workshop builds upon the first workshop, and focuses on how the

political guarantees of religious freedom have historically been denied to American

Indians in the US and Canada, and how these denials continue to have negative

outcomes in Native communities today, not only in terms of religion per se, but also in

terms of health, human rights, and general well-being. The presentation of this

perspective will be followed by discussion, small group exercise, and concluding

recommendations.

Presenter: Neal Keating. Asst Professor, Dept. of Anthropology, The College at

Brockport, SUNY


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PM Session II: PM Session II: 3:30 - 4:45 pm

Session Title: The Persecution of Christians in the 21st Century

Abstract

Christianity has the most diverse collection of adherents throughout the world. Rich and

poor alike are found among Christianity’s numbers, and so are Africans, Asians,

Europeans and North and South Americans. Christianity is completely inclusive and

attractive to the peoples of the world.

Yet an ominous trend, rarely covered in the major American news outlets, is at work.

Christians around the world are being harassed, imprisoned, killed or deprived of

possessions or liberties because of their witness. Coptic Christians in Egypt are being

forced from homes and businesses. Amnesty International has recently protested the

persecution that Christians have faced in Iraq, Iran, and throughout the Middle East and

Northern Africa. In Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, China, North Korea, India, Pakistan and

Indonesia, government policy or practice severely inhibits Christian faith and practice.

The persecution facing Christians is the largest “human rights” violation issue in today’s

world. It is important for Americans to understand the scope and severity of this

underreported phenomena. Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is one organization devoted to

the tasks of assisting those affected by persecution and informing the world of the

present level of persecution towards Christians. During this presentation, these facts will

be highlighted.


Joseff Smith, History Major, The College at Brockport

Co-Presenter Name/Title/Agency

Thomas Brennan, Representative, Voice of the Martyrs

PM Session II 3:30-4:45 pm

Session Title: The Bible and Politics

Abstract

This session will involve reading sample biblical texts and discussing how people who

view the Bible as authoritative may translate them into political positions. The format will

be guided group discussion. The texts sampled will include both those privileged by

liberal and conservative believers. The problem of misinterpretation will also be

discussed and when appropriate cultural and historical context will be addressed.


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Austin Busch, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of English, The College at

Brockport


Brooke Conti, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of English, The College at

Brockport

PM Session II: 3:30 - 4:45 pm

Session Title: A Multiethnic Panel Discusses Christianity on

Campus

Abstract

Community through diversity incorporates all voices of the community. In our efforts to

diversify, voices perceived as traditional are often silenced. Such silencing gives rise to

misconceptions and stereotypes about what it means to be Christian, the perceived

traditional American religion.

Many members of the community have believed the myth that Christians do not

promote accessibility, inclusiveness, and understanding. This panel of diverse

individuals, including people of Asian, African American, Native American, and

Caucasian descent, students, graduates, and faculty, women and men, would like to

suggest otherwise.

Additionally, we would like to address the myth that Christians think they are perfect. In

truth, Christians recognize themselves as imperfect beings in need of a Savior.

Recognizing our own limitations, we are guided by two basic commands: to love God

and to love our neighbors. Individually, we have shown such love through working in

medical clinics, youth meetings, literacy outreaches, and with families affected by

autism. In every instance, some domestic and some international, our services have

been offered freely and inclusively without question.

Like other groups who have been represented at earlier Diversity Conferences, we

request opportunity to allow our voices to be heard. Christianity is monotheistic, but the

panel will show our voices are not always monolithic.

In this presentation, we will seek to present Christianity in a coherent, academic

manner. We will discuss the basic tenets of Christianity, the popular misconceptions,

and the core beliefs Christians share.


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Carole Pelttari, EdD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Education and Human

Development, The College at Brockport


Jie Zhang, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Education and Human

Development, The College at Brockport

PM Session II: 3:30-4:45 pm

Session Title: “Pariah” (2007): Race, Gender, and Sexual Identity

Abstract

This presentation will consider sexual identity as a space written on by self, family,

culture, religion, and sate, and also examine ways heteronormative and conservative

ideologies complicate and compromise LGBTQ identities. This session captures the

Diversity Conference theme of spirituality, state, and politics with a particular focus on

ways race, religion, and sexuality, intersect and inform personal and public freedoms.

Through screening and discussion, the session aims to facilitate dialogue that promotes

sensitivity to difference as we reach for equity across local and national spaces.

Audience members will have the occasion consider lesbian identity within a larger

subtext of GLBTQ rights and to question ways patriarchy as an extension of state,

nation, and religion, reproduce and sanction white, herteronormative hegemony.


Barbara LeSavoy, PhD, Director of the Women and Gender Studies Program, The

College at Brockport

Pandora Brinkley, Graduate Student, McNair Scholar, The College at Brockport

coexistence

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